This essay offers suggestions to make online public access catalogs (OPACs) less idiosyncratic and more usable. Discussion covers qualitative difference between online catalog and predecessors, challenge of debunking assumptions, skills for success, maintaining an instructional perspective, catalog development for the people by the people, and the…

Presents comments by faculty members asked to introduce new colleagues to how they and their students use library services and materials. Three approaches to the incorporation of bibliographic instruction into science courses are outlined: a research paper importance and citation rate exercise; a library resource location exercise; and the library…

Guidelines for developing effective research assignments were distributed to University of Colorado, Boulder, teaching assistants and faculty by the Instructional Services Librarian. Suggestions concerning what to do (i.e., clarify research objectives, schedule library presentation) and what not to do (i.e., limit research to particular index or…

Presents a search strategy for locating time-series or cross-sectional statistical data in published sources which was designed for undergraduate students who require 30 units of data for five separate variables in a statistical model. Instructional context and the broader applicability of the search strategy for general statistical research is…

Describes a pilot project at the University of New Mexico library that offered peer tutoring services through the undergraduate learning center to teach students library skills and strategies for successful research. Discusses tutors assisting during other library instruction and future plans for tutors to provide electronic resource assistance in…

Describes the development of a Personalized Research Consultation Service (PERCS) for graduate students at Bowling Green State University. Graduate students' library research behavior and adult learning strategies are discussed; an evaluation of the program is reviewed; and the impact on library services, including computer searches and…

Discusses professional parameters of librarianship that guided major revision of content and methods of bibliographic instruction program at Evergreen State College (Olympia, Washington). Highlights include rotation of librarians into full-time teaching, characteristics of team teaching, emphasis on investigating problem solving in the course, and…

To relieve reference staff meeting with 30 sections of undergraduates per year, the library at Western Michigan University designed a multimedia self-instructional tutorial to introduce library services and teach basic skills. Although considerable time and effort was expended creating the tutorial, little updating has been required. Included are…