Stoan's distinction between library skills and research skills based on different philosophies of information seeking suggests the value of training in research methodology for the librarian. Such training could lead to more effective patron consultations, committee/administrative work, and personal research. Thus, a convenience sample of…

Operative assumptions about librarians as teachers and the concentration of instruction on technical rather than conceptual skills are questioned. The importance of teaching a conceptual framework for development of library researching skills is stressed, with reference to ideas about the learning process. (Author)

In order to improve library instruction and to produce data that shed light on the value of this core library service, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library conducted a formal assessment on its instruction program in 2004. A group of 688 users from 25 one-shot sessions was surveyed by a questionnaire four to eight weeks after…

Examines the information literacy debate, focusing on the term and its definition. Discusses the term's lack of clarity and confusion with other terms (library skills, library use, and bibliographic instruction), and considers the pros and cons of using an old term, a new term, or information literacy. Recommends using information literacy. (PEN)

The current study sought to measure the influence of a one-hour library training/orientation session on college students' library use and library skill development. Data analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in student library use while there was no statistically significant increase in library skill development. Some issues,…

Effects of a self-paced, individualized workbook in changing student's awareness of library resources and services were measured by pre- and post-tests of 487 freshmen students in designated English classes. Evaluation of test results indicated that, although this library skills program was successful, some reevaluation is needed. (CWM)

Describes an orientation tour allowing library staff to work together in introducing large numbers of students to library services and facilities. Groups of students move through a series of five stations in an hour's tour with a minimum of congestion and traffic. (Author/RAA)

Describes the tutorial library instruction program at Berea College which is based entirely on tutorial procedures. (Author/RAA)

This article looks at the perceptions of faculty academic staff on information literacy and the skills that it involves. The research was undertaken at De Montfort University (Leicester, UK) in 2004 where staff were surveyed on the information skills that students should possess by the time that they graduate.

Discusses the rationale, structure, and experiences of a graduate sociology seminar in bibliographical methods for document research. (CWM)

Results of a project at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln showed that computer-assisted instruction (using the PLATO system) and tutorial methods were somewhat more effective than the traditional library orientation tour for teaching card catalog skills, but that cost-benefit considerations restrict their further development for large-scale use.…

Describes the Research Assistance Program that was developed for African American undergraduates to improve their library research skills. Topics include cognitive style of African American students; and skill objectives, including formulating a research topic, effective search strategies, discernment and source equivalence, and information…

Explores sketch maps as an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand tool for assessing library skills, knowledge, and interest among individuals and groups. The underlying principles are found in research done with maps and surveys collected for environmental psychology, urban planning, and human geography. Includes nine figures of map examples and an…

Results of a DePauw University study of the library skills and attitudes of 43 high school students enrolled in a college preparatory program provide evidence that formal library use instruction programs can have positive results, regardless of initial level of students' academic potential. Twenty-three references are cited. (EJS)

Results of a preliminary experiment indicate that online computer-assisted instruction covering objective information is equal to or superior to traditional methods of training new student library workers. While it costs essentially the same, it frees staff members for other duties. (Author/RAA)