The core duties of the reference librarian inherently mandate that the work environment is not unlike a kaleidoscope: Students and faculty revolve within and around the library, and reference and public services workers do the same; every move temporarily redesigning the library, its collections, and even its very role on campus into something…

Internet usage logs captured during self-directed learning sessions were used to determine how undergraduate medical students used five popular sites to locate and access biomedical resources. Students' perceptions of each site's usefulness and reliability were determined through a survey. Google and Wikipedia were the most frequently used sites…

Discusses results of an empirical study of the library reference assistance process that indicate the need to incorporate a select strategy that librarians use in the choice of appropriate information sources. The reference process is examined, a model is presented, and the survey instruments and examples of reference transactions are appended.…

Evaluates these two bibliographic databases for geosciences information in terms of their content coverage, search methodologies, user effort, and analysis of results. (SW)

Discusses the problems involved in locating information sources that provide evaluative reports, summaries, and/or reviews of print and nonprint materials. Guides to selection processes and to reviewing sources are reviewed, as well as tools for accessing information through manual and computerized searching, sources for media information, and for…

This manual provides detailed instructions for using SilverPlatter software to search the ERIC CD ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a large bibliographic database relating to education which contains reference information on numerous journal articles from over 750 journals cited in the "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE),…

Describes resources to use for biology questions and provides search strategies for reference questions involving specific nomenclature. Highlights include nomenclature; common names versus scientific names; locating books and journal articles; and core reference sources. (Author/AEF)

Discussion of information on tests needed by social science researchers focuses on reference sources and a search strategy to assist reference librarians in locating pertinent material. Highlights include a review of related research, databases, print sources, test bibliographies and reviews, and sources of information on unpublished tests. (LRW)

Explores successful techniques for integrating the World Wide Web into day-to-day reference library services. Highlights include: determining when to use the Web and when and how to use search tools; the importance of search statement format; training and practicing with the Web; virtual reference and subject specialist pages; and electronic…

Designed to acquaint persons conducting library research in Chicano Studies with the numerous reference materials found in the University Library at the University of California-Santa Barbara, the manual provides information on the Coleccion Tloque Nahuaque, relevant subject headings, and a useful search strategy. The Coleccion Tloque Nahuaque,…

The basics of online searching for bibliographic citations are presented through use of the "Economic Literature Index" (ELI), which is available as File 139 on Dialog Information Services. This article focuses on the choice of media for bibliographic searches, search strategies, and the selection of alternative databases, such as…

The guide provides a quick reference to the database, services, and additional resources of the ERIC System that may be of use in adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy work. It first explains the role of the National Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education, then describes the ERIC database and the kinds of adult ESL literacy materials…

Designed to acquaint persons conducting library research in Chicano Studies with the reference materials found in the University Library at the University of California-Santa Barbara, the manual provides information on the Coleccion Tloque Nahuaque, relevant subject headings, and a useful search strategy. Resources, staff, assigned reading…

This introduction to the library system at the College of Wooster in Ohio advises the user to keep a number of goals in mind in order to become an effective library user: (1) get to know the librarians and special assistants and how each can be of service; (2) learn the layout of the building and locations of the various service departments and…

This instructional package describes techniques that reference librarians at George Mason University (Virginia) have found to be successful and offers specific suggestions for the application of those techniques to teach research skills to students in English 302. The first of three major sections discusses the assessment of student library…