This article investigates academic library needs of doctoral students. The study identifies PhD students' information literacy training needs and explores current levels of library engagement, barriers to use, and gaps in existing services. First-year PhD students at Ulster University (UU) were surveyed and interviews were undertaken with three…

This conference paper addresses the abundance of information delivery choices available to academic library online searchers. Following a review of changes and choices that have developed during the past decade, the paper suggests 10 ways for the searcher to keep up to date in this fast changing field: (1) read subject-related journals, system…

Modern academic libraries have a great number of information resources available online in the form of electronic catalogs, books, journals, and subject subscription databases. To determine whether users can easily retrieve the information they are seeking, academic librarians conduct usability testing of their libraries' Web sites. There has been…

Supporting the information needs of researchers adequately is a major challenge for university libraries. This paper outlines results of a survey of 23 researchers conducted by Deakin University Library into their information needs and perceptions of the library's role and performance. The survey challenged established ideas about researchers'…

Reviews of use studies of online systems at academic libraries support the need for aggressive public relations techniques to increase usage. An examination of user needs reveals the existence of a potential market of users that can substantially benefit from online services, but, so far, has not been reached by the libraries that supply these…

College and university librarians were surveyed in May 1984 to assess their experiences and opinions with respect to online searching in the humanities. A questionnaire was mailed to 1,160 4-year college and university libraries in the American Library Directory (1983) that listed an online services coordinator, an enrollment of 1,000 or more, or…

Mail surveys designed to determine the current status of end user online searching were sent to three populations: 473 faculty members in 12 departments at 20 universities, online search coordinators in 89 academic libraries, and 15 library school educators. Direct interviews with 10 university faculty members were also conducted. Faculty were…

Proposes a reference-interview strategy that allows the reference librarian to assess the information need of the undergraduate doing social science research that requires the use of an electronic database; label the information need; and assign the most appropriate search strategy to satisfy this need. Questions for further study are offered.…

Considers the success and satisfaction of end users' searches on CD-ROM systems. Topics discussed include introductory training lessons; the selection of appropriate databases; search strategies; and implications for the role of library staff and for staffing patterns. Examples of end-user search techniques and common errors are included. (11…

Describes the creation and testing of an online prototype, end-user database selection tool developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Discusses identifying computer-assisted techniques for guiding users to the most suitable databases for their information needs; improving user services; and improving ease of access to…

Discusses the need for information on ethnic groups in academic library reference departments; describes the use of automated indexes, CD-ROM, and online databases; and gives examples of indexing and usage of terms related to Southeast Asians in four CD-ROM databases: InfoTrac EF (Extended Family), ERIC, PsycLIT, and Business Periodicals Index.…

Analyzes the attitudes that humanistic students and scholars typically display toward information technology and discusses the effect they have on bibliographic instruction. Highlights include information needs versus available technology; needs assessment; necessary concepts and skills; search strategies; searching skills; and instructional…

Describes a study that observed undergraduates as they searched bibliographic databases on a CD-ROM local area network. Topics include related research, information needs, evolution of search topics, database selection, search strategies, relevance judgments, CD-ROM interfaces, and library instruction. (Author/LRW)

This curriculum guide was prepared as a tool for teaching students the purpose and function of the ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA database in the total concept of information literacy. The database on compact laser disc contains information about the holdings of hundreds of school, public, academic, and special use libraries. The database can be searched at…