Inquiry does not replace information literacy; rather, it encompasses it. Inquiry-based learning invites school librarians to step into all aspects of instructional planning, from activating prior knowledge straight through to reflection. Libraries pursuing inquiry-based instruction are building on the bedrock of information literacy, not starting…

In this article, the author describes five lessons which focus on skills that students will need in any library. The following lessons should be taught during first semester to first-year middle school students: (1) Locating books at the library; (2) Locating databases at the library; (3) Locating encyclopedias at the library; (4) Locating…

Provides practical counsel for high school librarians for instructing students in basic research methods. Librarians are urged to use a vivid search strategy such as a flow chart and to provide hands-on experience in the classroom. Sample flow charts and a bibliographic search exercise are included. (CDD)

Describes an activity that librarians can use to acquaint teachers with keyword searching and Boolean operators to more successfully use the library's online catalog. Uses food ingredients to represent various possible combinations. (LRW)

Describes the Macintosh CD-ROM edition of "Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary" and discusses advantages and disadvantages of using the electronic dictionary in library media skills instruction. Use in large group instruction is discussed and advantages are highlighted, including the large print feature, sound feature, and ability…

Discusses the importance of Boolean searching as a skill that students will need in the future. Methods for teaching Boolean searching are described, and the value of truncation as an online searching aid is considered. (MES)

This paper describes how four classes of high school students were introduced over a 2-year period to the concepts and terminology of online bibliographic searching, instructed to formulate their own search strategies, and received the opportunity to observe their strategies executed by a skilled searcher on various selected databases. It also…

Provides practical information for librarians beginning to use online searching for reference services at the high school level. Selection of equipment, software, and database vendors are discussed, as well as financing, involvement of the school administration, and working with users to determine their information needs. (CDD)

Focuses on the training of students in online bibliographic searching as introduced by school library media centers. The online process, teaching students to search, search steps, negative and positive aspects, and implications for school library media programs in three areas (student instruction, collection development, service goals) are…

Traditionally, library instruction has been based on the sources in the library and not on the process of seeking information. A new approach to library skills may be needed to enable students to become effective information users. This study investigated the information search process of 140 high school seniors in six high schools. Subjects were…

Designed to assist educators in teaching information skills in a systematic way by integrating them into the kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum, this guide is intended to be shared by teachers and library media specialists. A reflection of recent study of the information searching and application process, the guide is not bound to any…

Summarizes findings of a survey of academic and school libraries which identified software being used for bibliographic instruction. Representative software is described, including how it is used, and suggestions are offered for why computer assisted instruction hasn't been more widely used, and for promoting and using it more effectively. (EM)

In an effort to verify that the library research skills that comprise the library media instructional program at the Columbus (Ohio) School for Girls are those that college librarians would regard as essential, a questionnaire was mailed in February 1987 to the undergraduate libraries of 142 colleges and universities most often attended by…

The purpose of this term paper clinic workshop was to provide information on options that can be used when students need information for research papers. The workshop is designed for librarians in any type of library who deal with students working on term papers. Three types of term paper clinics are discussed: individual conferences; group…

Comments on the following research finding: teacher-librarians who understand the search process, work with classroom colleagues to integrate the process in instruction, and intervene early in student support, more effectively guarantee student success and academic achievement than those who don't. (PEN)