Reviews the research that suggests that qualitative approaches to the evaluation of library user education programs may sometimes be more appropriate than quantitative measures. The differences between quantitative and qualitative evaluation are discussed, and the instances in which one approach may be preferred to the other are identified. (17…

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)

Describes a two-part segmentation technique applied to an instruction program for an academic library during a strategic planning process. Discusses a brainstorming technique used to create a list of existing and potential audiences, and then describes a follow-up review session that evaluated the past years' efforts. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the accountability of university libraries and assessment methods to show library effectiveness focuses on two assessment tools developed at Bowling Green State University: one program-level assessment which involved a student library skills assessment survey; and one class-level assessment which involved one-shot library instruction…

Describes a program developed by librarians at Arizona State University West to evaluate their library instruction. Topics discussed include stressing individual improvement rather than personnel evaluation and decisions; group process; focus on formative evaluation; role of evaluation measures; evaluations by faculty and students; and colleague…

Discussion of ways libraries deal with patrons with various disabilities focuses on a project that investigated the effects of bibliographic instruction on mentally retarded adults using public libraries. Evaluation of the instruction by examining patrons' use of their library cards is described, and results of pretests and posttests are…

Discusses lifelong learning and the need for information retrieval skills, and describes how Northwest Missouri State University incorporates a heuristic model of library instruction in which students continually evaluate and refine information-seeking practices while progressing through all levels of courses in diverse disciplines. (Author/LRW)

As part of a move toward data-driven decision making, the University Libraries at Virginia Tech made a commitment to evaluate library instruction systematically. During the design and implementation phase of the program, library faculty developed a variety of tools for evaluating teaching, tested them out, and consulted with educational experts to…

Describes the first component of a four-year, course-integrated library instruction program based on William Perry's developmental model, which was developed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Results of evaluations comparing pre- and posttest scores show increased student levels of information literacy. An appendix presents a year-by-year outline…

Librarians from three regional campuses of Kent State University examine cooperative learning as an alternative to a lecture format for bibliographic instruction. The results of a research project comparing the effectiveness of cooperative learning and traditional methods are presented. Discussion includes problems in the evaluation process; steps…

Describes a study that was conducted at Ohio State University at Mansfield to measure the effects of a self-paced, self-instructional workbook, both with and without a librarian's presentation, on students' library skills and their attitudes about libraries and librarians. Students' evaluations of the workbooks are also reported. (eight…

Describes a method of evaluation referred to as Instructional Product Verification and Revision (IPVR) and explains its use in developing a library instruction program at Utah State University. The use of HyperCard in Project FORE (Focus on Research and Evaluation) is discussed, and future plans are considered. (10 references) (LRW)

Describes the evaluation of a library orientation program for graduate students at Utah State University using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. Results are reported that indicate the need to focus on general information access skills rather than specific subject areas. (Contains nine references.) (LRW)

Investigates the potential value of bibliometric analysis of freshman English research paper bibliographies to assess student behavior in terms of skills and resources addressed in library instruction sessions. Suggests that students' bibliographies provide a flexible, time-efficient assessment method for the documentation of student library use.…

Reports on a survey of bibliographic instruction at 27 small private liberal arts colleges. Compared to findings of similar surveys at larger academic institutions, small colleges lack the faculty and administrative support, procedures for evaluation, and specific goals for library instruction programs found at larger institutions. A copy of the…