Academic librarians provide information literacy instruction and research services to graduate students. To develop evidence-based library instruction and research services for incoming graduate students, the authors interviewed fifteen incoming graduate students in the social sciences and analyzed the interviews using the Association of College &…

The Interlibrary Loan department at the University of Mississippi wished to examine interlibrary loan borrowing data dating back to the implementation of the ILLiad system in August 2001 in order to determine why the number of cancellations due to local availability continues to increase. The patron information was extracted in an attempt to…

In recent decades the literature dealing with graduate students and library use, including bibliographic instruction, information-seeking behavior, and information literacy has grown. However, there still appears to be a lack of research and resources available on the information-seeking behavior skills of graduate education students, which can…

Explains zetetics which involve theories of research and epistemology and discusses its relevance to library science. Topics include library literacy, and the use of an information matrix to help library patrons understand what information they have and what they need to find. (Author/LRW)

Discusses library use instruction in public libraries. The need for instruction is examined, the commitment of public libraries to provide information rather than instruction is considered, academic library and public library users' attitudes are discussed, and a 105-item bibliography of descriptive literature on use instruction in public…

If the effect of bibliographic instruction is to create a more self-reliant library user and information-seeker, does this mean that bibliographic instruction programs lead to a decline in the demand for reference services? This research analyzes data for 83 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries over a six-year period. Each…

Describes a University of Iowa Libraries' user needs assessment survey of a random sample of graduate and professional students. Results showed the need for more assistance in using the library, greater awareness of library services offered to graduate students, and the desire for more opportunities for library instruction. (Author/LRW)

This survey of 57 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examines technical and management issues in providing remote access to their online catalogs, as well as with instructions and services for remote users. It is noted that most ARL libraries have not yet conducted studies to project the extent of use of remote access, although…

Reviews selected research studies with practical application to university library service models and offers suggestions for a research agenda supporting the advancement of strategic services. Discusses information-seeking behavior; user education, information literacy, and learning technologies; scholarly communication and the digital library;…

Librarians use subject guides to introduce students to library materials. Surveys, usability tests, and usage statistics demonstrate that students do not relate well to subject guides. We suggest that library resources organized or delivered at a course level are more in line with how undergraduate students approach library research. (Contains 26…

This report describes a research project designed to improve the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-S) Library Learning Center services to students with learning disabilities. Three groups were surveyed to gather the information needed to improve services. Learning disabled students at the UW-S campus were asked to identify problems encountered in…

This report provides instructional materials for a voluntary introductory workshop in the use of the Educational Resources and Information Clearinghouse (ERIC) database on CD-ROM. The workshop instruction is based on Leslie J. Brigg's Theories of Instructional Design with instructional objectives based on Robert Gagne's Learning Taxonomy. Library…

Although much attention has been given to the process of teaching older patrons about new technologies, the following study shows that younger patrons often require instruction in older technologies to feel comfortable using information in those formats. A survey was conducted among 80 undergraduate and graduate students aged 18-30, at the…

Offers suggestions to make high school libraries more appealing to students, based on results of a student survey. Highlights include comfortable furniture; decorated walls; community information; limiting rules, including the amount of noise allowed; friendly staff; longer hours; more varied programs, including outside speakers; orientation…

Reports on a four-year study of use patterns of CD-ROM databases in a biological sciences library. More than half the individuals recorded all use within one month. Over a third recorded use on only one day. Results suggest that the library should emphasize point-of-use instruction for first-time searchers and deemphasize workshops. (Contains 11…