Librarians play a key role in the understanding, retrieval, and assessment of gray literature (also spelled "grey literature") as it pertains to evidence-based clinical practice, particularly nursing. With the rise of evidence-based research and curriculum-specific requirements in advanced nursing programs, gray literature instruction…

By first reassessing the role of search in the literacy event of the lower division undergraduate paper, this article argues that searching is not a lower-order mental activity but a concurrent, integral component of the research-writing process. This conclusion has large implications for information literacy instructional design, and several…

Federated search products are becoming more and more prevalent in academic libraries. What are the implications of this phenomenon for instruction librarians? An analysis of federated search products using the "Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education" and a thorough review of the literature offer insight concerning whether…

While the "information superhighway" offers new opportunities for independent research and study, the amount of information available requires users to have a high level of information-literacy skills. Librarians are in the best position to facilitate the development of these skills and to instruct clients in the use of search and…

A user survey was conducted at the Hugh Stephens College Library to determine the degree of user satisfaction and identify limiting factors. Analysis of data from 203 data sheets completed by patrons requesting specific titles reveals that acquisitions by the library and user error are more significant limiting factors in this library than either…

Examines advantages and disadvantages of the traditional model of undifferentiated service versus an alternative model of differentiated services, which includes directions and general information; technical assistance, "information lookup" for the client, research consultation, and library instruction. Suggests each service should fit…

Library instruction about reference materials, databases, and quality web sites never goes out of fashion for students, faculty, or staff. An annual professional development program on the Colorado State University campus offers an opportunity to provide specialized library instruction to targeted faculty and staff members. For two consecutive…

Information literacy is especially important to users of virtual libraries and online learners because they primarily conduct research outside the library and beyond the reach of information professionals. Librarians and other educators must incorporate information literacy into their educational curricula if users are to be successful in an…

Support is given for extending bibliographic instruction (BI) in academic libraries to larger forms of electronic access. An argument for a team-teaching model of information-finding instruction is presented, in which the needs of doctoral students, are emphasized. This reflects specific concerns of this group and the overall importance of…

Critical thinking exercises incorporated into an undergraduate course of bibliographic instruction encourage students to analyze and evaluate information and retrieval methods, thus enabling them to become more effective information users. (AEF)

It is no longer effective to provide information literacy instruction that is thought to be "good for" college students, but rather, instruction must focus on the learning styles and preferences of the target population. This case study reports a series of hands-on/minds-on information literacy activities that dissolve student's misconception that…

Addresses the importance of effective screen and menu design for online public access catalogs, and the responsibility of the instruction librarian to learn required technological information, such as MARC format, in order to influence design. Other concerns for those involved in screen design include screens for gateways, system modules, local…

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)

This document reports the results of a follow-up survey of 34 Association of Research Libraries member libraries which was conducted in 1989 to measure changes that had taken place in the administration of computer files (CF)--previously referred to as machine readable data files--since the original survey in 1984. It is noted that this survey…

Describes The Gateway, a computerized library system for undergraduate students that integrates access to multiple sources of information and provides embedded training on their use. A discussion of the general interface design principles is followed by the results of a preliminary evaluative study. Numerous sample screens illustrate the text. (13…