Ralph Waldo Emerson's criticism that libraries lack the profession of "professor of books" represents the central problem of bibliographic instruction: an inadequately formed theoretical or conceptual framework. A history of the ideas, notions, terms, and phrases about bibliographic instruction illustrates this. (MSE)

Librarians can promote and improve their programs of bibliographic instruction through a faculty development effort on undergraduate use of the college library. Results of this kind of program have included improved course assignment formulation, imaginative assignments, and new, library-centered courses. (MSE)

The Library Orientation Exchange (LOEX) provides assistance to librarians in developing library instruction programs for college faculty. It offers information and materials, compiles research reports, constructs bibliographies, and gives advice. (MSE)

The need for a structure for the discipline of bibliographic instruction is discussed in the context of library instruction as a means of developing critical thinking skills in students, based on experiences with student patterns of thought. (MSE)

An annotated list of resources concerning development of bibliographic instruction programs includes materials on the state of the art of bibliographic instruction, a list of bibliographies, library subject headings for subtopics, program development literature, journals and newsletters, and support groups. (MSE)

While the term paper can be a worthwhile teaching device, the project must be carefully structured to be effective. Creative teachers can devise other, equally effective activities to extend student knowledge of and skills in using library resources, such as writing annotated bibliographies, practical research assignments, and projects to evaluate…

Colleges and universities have much to gain from developing a teaching library, whose core component is a comprehensive bibliographic instruction program. The library's active involvement in academic programs leads to improved student skills and faculty productivity, and thus to the institution's educational quality and faculty and student…

The use of search strategy as a conceptual framework for teaching research techniques has long been a central concept of library instruction. It involves teaching analysis of research questions, understanding of structural differences in knowledge across disciplines, and evaluation of information. (MSE)

Bibliographic instruction can do more than provide directions on library use for a specific assignment; it can contribute to the objectives of liberal education by teaching skills in asking questions, critically analyzing information, and answering questions. (MSE)

Bibliographic instruction programs at the following colleges are described: Berea, Baruch, Earlham, Lake Forest, Ohio State, SUNY Brockport, Colorado, Toronto, Wisconsin, and Winthrop. Descriptions include program duration, administrative support, faculty support, integration into the campus curriculum, program goals and objectives,…