Instruction in the use of college libraries makes little sense unless it is related to classroom activity. Several teaching methods are discussed that address library instruction within specific educational contexts. Focus is on a method that involves the librarian as a seminar participant with students and professor. (JMD)

Practical advice regarding interaction and involvement during student and faculty library instruction to achieve maximum results is discussed along with instructional design. (MBR)

Members of an Association of College and Research Libraries committee conducted a telephone survey of 42 academic libraries to investigate the perceived importance of bibliographic instruction skills to employers. Found that skill and experience were considered very important to the position; very important in the library; and very important in…

Proposes that academic librarians use constructivist learning theory, primarily composition theory, to develop a pedagogy for the reference desk. Implies that reference is a form of teaching, and that to maximize their educational effectiveness, academic librarians need to approach reference transactions as academic conferences where teaching and…

This study addresses finding the best means of introducing community college freshmen to the library and the skills and concepts of information literacy. Compares results of a traditional librarian-led orientation tour with those of a self-guided treasure hunt. Results indicate an educational advantage in the self-guided tour, supporting active…

Examines the relationship between bibliographic instruction and reference services in academic libraries. Highlights include historical definitions for the two services; results of a survey of academic librarians that investigated how they are connecting the two services; and recommendations for improving the teaching of information literacy at…

Compares a digital reference service that uses instant messaging with traditional, face-to-face reference based on experiences at the Southern Illinois University library. Addresses differences in reference questions asked, changes in the reference transaction, student expectations, bibliographic instruction, and librarian attitudes and procedures…

Discusses the issues involved with setting the tone for a library instruction session and emphasizes the importance of the first five minutes of the class. Topics include adequate planning; making contact with students; student attitudes and library anxiety; librarians' anxiety; and setting the tone for lifelong learning. (Author/LRW)

Discusses bibliographic instruction evaluation and the need for objectives and proposes a framework for developing well-defined objectives by reviewing evaluative materials based on those objectives. Describes experiences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale that analyzed question weight, question content, and question type. (Author/LRW)

Analyzes the citations in 187 articles on bibliographic instruction published in library science journals to determine the extent to which authors cited sources from library and information science as compared to sources from traditional subject disciplines. The results suggest an insularity, not only from other subject disciplines, but from the…

Describes the involvement of the library staff in developmental studies instruction at Chattanooga State Technical Community College in Tennessee. Examines the different approaches to library instruction used in English, developmental reading, and study skills classes. (DMM)

Reports the results of a survey of 38 librarians with expertise in training CD-ROM users that examined why and how patrons use CD-ROM, what end-users need to know about searching CD-ROM, and preferred teaching methods. The effects of training CD-ROM users on reference services and staff are also discussed. (CLB)

Argues that the most important component in effective bibliographic instruction is the learning styles of students. The discussion examines learning styles, in general, and Kolb's theory of experiential learning, in particular. The use of Kolb's theory in a freshman library instruction program is described and evaluated. (10 references) (CLB)

Master's students in library science and students in a library technician program were asked to read scripts of reference interviews in which the amount of bibliographic instruction and the "maleness" or "femaleness" of questions were varied. They were then asked to make a judgment about the competence of the reference…

Discusses the value of critical thinking in higher education and the role of the librarian in teaching these skills. Nine questions that students can use to evaluate their readings are listed, and class discussion of library research methods and review of the evaluation questions are recommended. (11 references) (MES)