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…

Every senior at Haverford College writes a thesis or its equivalent, conducting independent research with guidance from faculty and librarians. Students critically engage in investigative work in archives, field studies, and labs. In this article, librarians explore the way anthropology and history thesis writers do research to define paths toward…

This paper investigated how libraries can support the transition of first-year international undergraduate students to a large research university. The research explored the students' use of libraries, their use of information to learn, and their academic and information literacy learning needs. The methods were a survey (with 135 responses) and…

The linkage of information structure with methods of library instruction should be of primary concern in discussing the retrieval of information by students. Librarians can help students to locate information, document concepts, and assess sources. (Author/LS)

This discussion centers on the role of libraries in providing postsecondary students and other users with instruction in the use of library resources. It reviews the history of library user education, examines the effects of hard economic times on library instruction, and describes User Education Resources (USER), an Australian database containing…

Sophistication and accessibility can be dangerous bedfellows, especially when it comes to information sources. One of the real challenges in undergraduate academic libraries can be connecting students in a meaningful way to the resources that will be most helpful and understandable for them. This article discusses how techniques borrowed from the…

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)

The paper begins with an introduction defining the term "information literacy" and goes on to analyze the need for information literacy education in China. It also presents a detailed description with examples of how China's public libraries are cultivating citizens' information literacy. The experiences prove that the public library is…

This paper discusses information literacy skills and procedures for breaking information resources into their component data. The paper draws on the work of two Australian committees to establish the importance of these skills and briefly describes a research project on library services required to support the delivery of competency-based training…

Examines the various activities librarians perform to help patrons find information. Discusses new ideas in cataloging for electronic resources; extending patrons' reference questions to Web resources; reader's advisory services on the Web; online instruction for online searching; and the future outlook for the librarian profession. (AEF)

Discusses ways instruction librarians can use the World Wide Web to serve students in the classroom, at the reference desk, in distance education, and as a self-directed learning tool. Outlines how the Web can function as a desktop publishing system, revitalize subject pathfinders and "how-to" guides, and promote the invention of interactive…

Discussion of the World Wide Web focuses on the Web's impact on academic libraries based on experiences at the University of British Columbia. Highlights include integration versus change; the presentation of information; and how the Web can alter the balance between the library and the teaching faculty as information providers. (Author/LRW)

Research findings indicate improved high school library collections and instruction links to improved college library use and student success. Students with access to an online catalog cited a greater number of periodicals in their research; and those taught by a teacher-librarian about how to locate and use information scored better on high…

Based on the Survey of Scholars conducted by the American Council of Learned Societies' Office of Scholarly Communication and Technology, this report examines the need for better two-way communication between libraries and scholars as a means of easing the transition to the use of today's new and diverse information resources. A concise summary…

The complexity of the information environment, and more uncontrolled distribution and access, lead to new issues for users. Reference services, with a stronger instructional role, must become more proactive in providing a fully developed repertoire of services responsive to the multifaceted queries facing librarians today. (Contains 31…