Because instruction in library search strategies is often neglected in social work education, about 75 major social work and social science textbooks were reviewed and divided into 3 groups by the amount of coverage of library research skills. Strengths and weaknesses along with suggestions for a model orientation to library use are provided. (EAM)

Although no major longitudinal studies of library user education programs have been conducted at the community college level, several surveys have been conducted at the senior college level that can be combined with data about community colleges and their students to draw some conclusions in this area. First, there is a real need for bibliographic…

Reviews the state of user education in Australian postsecondary educational institution libraries. Conclusions are based on results of a questionnaire survey of user education practices conducted in 1981. Courses in information retrieval, objectives of user education at six institutions, methods and media used, and course evaluation are…

Describes steps for improving preservice teacher education, including the training of school library media specialists. Highlights include behavioral aspects, including imitation, isolation, transfer, and technique; technological aspects; and the evolution of library and information literacy skills of the school media specialist. (LRW)

Examines the response of American students to library instruction and provides an overview of the educational milieu in which it functions. Topics covered include library instruction in primary and secondary education; the academic environment; the need for academic library instruction; staff considerations; and content, methods, audiences, and…

Discusses the need for library science to examine users' search behaviors in the context of social cognition and creative problem solving. Topics covered include the psychology of search behavior, problem solving approaches to library instruction in online searching, and problem solving protocols. (29 references) (CLB)

Presents the position of the American Association of School Librarians on the essential contribution of school library media programs to elementary education. Twelve principles that codify the role of school library media centers are given and 35 research studies supporting them are listed. (EM)

Reviews research that addresses four major themes about library and information skills instruction in library media programs: (1) the value of library and information skills instruction; (2) the content of library and information skills; (3) teaching library skills in the context of subject area curriculum; and (4) alternative methods for teaching…

Analyzes the attitudes that humanistic students and scholars typically display toward information technology and discusses the effect they have on bibliographic instruction. Highlights include information needs versus available technology; needs assessment; necessary concepts and skills; search strategies; searching skills; and instructional…

Reviews current trends in instructional assessment and proposes a model for assessing information skills instruction in school library media centers using principles advocated in outcome-based education (OBE). Assessment techniques discussed include observation, journals, student projects, paper and pencil tests, self-evaluation, peer evaluation,…

This annotated bibliography includes materials in English published in 1990 that deal with information literacy, including instruction in the use of information resources; research; and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. Publications on user instruction are included for all types of libraries and for all…

Describes a study that was conducted to provide information on the extent of bibliographic instruction in curriculum materials centers (CMCs) or related library/media collections designed for the use of prospective teachers and teacher educators. The study paid particular attention to instruction in the use of online public catalogs. (30…

Reviews research from the ERIC database that addresses the status of school library media programs and the role of the media specialist. Highlights include impact of media programs on children's self-concepts, library and information skills instruction, information seeking, use of technology, censorship, media availability, children's literature,…

Provides an analysis of selected research articles that address issues affecting school library media centers. Highlights include environmental psychology; circulation and collections; effects of automated circulation systems; female students' self-esteem and selection of women's biographies; instruction, information literacy skills, and…

Reviews recent literature on the use of technology in libraries by children and young adults. Highlights include the effectiveness of interactive information retrieval systems; children's use of card catalogs versus online catalogs; skills needed for success in using library catalogs; children's abilities to formulate searchable queries; and the…