Reviews and describes the current crisis in science literacy and formulates an information-based definition of the term. Library issues and concerns are discussed, including the role of librarians in defining the information-seeking behavior of science-literate users, describing users' characteristics, and evaluating and applying appropriate…

Discussion of qualitative and quantitative research techniques highlights the use of focus group interviews and describes their use at Purdue University to determine student user perceptions of and attitudes toward the library system. The use of the interviews as a supplement to a questionnaire survey is discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

A theoretical scheme classifies user behavior into three domains of library activity--affective, cognitive, and psychomotor--and three levels of learning--orientation, interaction, and internalization. Examples of library skills and errors in each of the nine major classes are given, and applications to library instruction are suggested.…

Discusses an increase in library users providing services for themselves that were formerly provided by library staff, and describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that measured (1) the public's acceptance of patron-initiated renewals and other capabilities, and (2) the resulting impact on staff activity. (five references) (LRW)

Describes a survey of CD-ROM users at the Pennsylvania State University library that was conducted to determine who the users were, which systems were most popular, how patrons perceived help available to them, and what types of instruction they wanted. Suggestions for improvements in service were also requested. (15 references) (LRW)

This discussion of the special needs of foreign students in academic libraries focuses on bibliographic instruction and research skills. To meet these needs, strategies are suggested for identifying students who need special instruction; teaching research methods; increasing staff sensitivity; and designing a staff development workshop. (CLB)

Identifies characteristics of the international student population and patterns of international students' library use. The students' prior use of microcomputers and their current perceived difficulties in using libraries are reported, and the implications for libraries are drawn. Fourteen tables provide data about student characteristics and…

Compares the impact of manual and online search methods on the interdisciplinary search task in terms of relevance of retrieved items, user effort, user satisfaction, user confidence, and future use. The study, using the Kuhlthau model, focused on journalism classes researching judicial decisions relating to mass media. (31 references) (Author/KRN)

Discussion of the adoption of new technologies in libraries throughout history focuses on two innovations in particular: the card catalog and the typewriter. Topics discussed include the replacement of one technology by another; budget considerations; requirements and attitudes of the labor force; reactions of library users; and attitudes of…

Literature analysis indicates that surveys are not widely used in the planning process for academic libraries because of difficulties with design of user studies, translation of survey results into management decisions, and acceptance of survey data by librarians. Trends such as competition from private information sources will force a change in…

Authority control improves users' access to a library's holdings by enhancing the ability to find and select materials. The AutoCat authority control system developed at Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) avoids the high initial costs of vendor clean up and Library of Congress authority tapes while reducing the labor involved in authority…

Examines the nature of authority as embedded in organizational and professional structures within an academic library context and its relationship to the fit between the organization and the environment. Self regulation and formal participation are introduced as alternatives to traditional strategies for decision making. (CLB)

Proposes that methods intended to assist in information retrieval be grouped together and that the group be called "informed retrieval," a process which uses feedback from an information system to improve retrieval results. It is suggested that an integrated framework be developed that includes authority control and informed retrieval as…

Describes a survey instrument developed at the University of Northern Colorado library that compared students' self-assessed library skills with a test component. Findings are reported that indicated no dramatic trend of higher proficiency with increasing academic status, although self-assessed skills showed such a trend. (seven references) (LRW)

Discusses changes in academic libraries resulting from evolving technologies, and the need to train library patrons and staff in the use of electronic information systems. A review of the training literature and the results of three projects for supporting patron use of online systems are reported. (CLB)