Teaching how to choose a research topic in a bibliographic instruction class should emphasize the underlying methods and principles of library research while making research tools as unobtrusive as possible. This approach teaches the basics of scientific inquiry and provides a structure in which to teach library skills. (EM)

Explores issues surrounding efforts to introduce online catalogs to users and presents relevant research results from Northwestern University's "Educating the Online Catalog User" project. Highlights include attitudes and preconceptions about online catalogs and instruction, research on online catalog use, suggestions for online catalog teaching,…

Points out that the use of the library is an important part of the educational process and that teaching recreational reading and browsing skills should be mandatory.(EL)

Examines role of cataloger as it has been and is often perceived, and advances view of what role should be. The cataloger's function is discussed in terms of classification and description, automation and change, reclassification as supervisor of nonprofessional staff, cooperation within library, reorganization, and instruction. Thirteen…

Outlines five areas to which standards of professionalism to enhance the public service of microform collections must apply: microform management policy; the microforms librarians; physical environment and equipment; bibliographic control and access (microform collection guides); and promotion of microform use (bibliographic instruction). Five…

Discusses first three steps of a general model for use in planning and implementing innovative programs in organizations: identifying problem, forming task force, finding out more about problems. Application and evaluation of model at large academic library to investigate receptivity of faculty to increased teaching activities by librarians is…

Discusses the image and natural dynamics of an individual mode of library instruction in which the reference librarian serves as a role model by showing individual students or classes a searcher in action, working with ideas as well as index terms. Twenty-four sources are given. (EJS)

Results of survey of 44 academic libraries indicate that: foreign students have problems in using library; instruction for foreign students should be offered as separate program; type of instruction and degree of coordination between library and other areas on campus differs markedly. Program idea sources and 18 references are included. (EJS)

Discusses challenges and results of integrating hands-on DIALOG labs into several Stanford University undergraduate courses (small library-oriented course, small subject-specific seminar, large health policy lecture course) to arouse student interest in information retrieval strategies and "demystify" computer searching. Evaluation of…

This five-article section on current issues in reference and adult services highlights origins of American Library Association's Reference and Adult Services Division, history and development of RQ's column "The Exchange," 25 years of adult services articles, documents reference service and changing attitudes of librarians, and library…

Discusses the literature on microfilm usage in reference librarianship, proposes use of microform in reference collections and the introduction of patrons to available information in microform. (Author/KP)

This session will demonstrate how USC Sumter's Anderson Library recently developed information literacy and research skills program uses information technology available through the library introduce students, faculty and patrons to the methods and ethics of information research, with an emphasis on analyzing and defining information needs and…

The purpose of this book is to introduce innovative educational concepts and techniques to help librarians and other information professionals create technology learning courses, sessions, workshops, and modules. The book applies the concepts of instructional systems design (ISD) to designing courses, or parts of courses, for instruction on…

"Web" is identified with both the World Wide Web and the broader web of culture and fields of knowledge. The library is where all disciplines converge and is by its nature a force of order in the face of anarchical trends. Information literacy is the ability to both navigate and evaluate information. Like writing, information literacy is…

The goal of the "Best Practices Initiative: Characteristics of Programs of Information Literacy that Illustrate Best Practices," undertaken by the Association of College and Research Libraries' Institute for Information Literacy is to systematically identify and test the key elements essential for a successful institutionally supported…