Discusses the library skills preparation of students entering college and reports on a study of students' attitudes about doing research in an academic library which revealed feelings of anxiety. Implications of this anxiety for the design of bibliographic instruction programs, as well as specific instructional techniques, are described. (5…

Presents and compares results from two surveys of basic library skills administered to first-year and upperclass students at Johns Hopkins University (Maryland). The relationship of test scores to library visits and to self-ratings for library skills are discussed, and copies of the surveys are included. (Contains 12 references.) (LRW)

Describes several relevant library search assignments which stress the merits of secondary research in a business report writing course. Includes assignments on investment possibilities, employment opportunities, and group projects. (MM)

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)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether bibliographic instruction methods used in an academic library's computer classroom were effective. Teacher-education students were tested using pretests and posttests designed to determine their knowledge and skill in using library technology to obtain research information. The tests are…

Reviews the literature on library and information literacy and describes the development of an undergraduate core course on library and information skills at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The bibliographic instruction component is explained, and assessment of the course after the first year is discussed. (Contains 12 references.) (LRW)

Describes a one-credit, theme-based library instruction course for freshmen and sophomores at Fort Lewis College (Durango, Colorado). Discusses benefits of theme-based instruction; assigned work; skills students should acquire during the course; course assessment and development; and future changes in the course. (AEF)

Discussion of the need for information literacy skills in higher education focuses on the development of a Web-based tutorial by the University of Texas at Austin library that can be integrated into first-year courses. Describes TILT (Texas Information Literacy Tutorial) and explains how other libraries can adapt it for their own use. (LRW)

Contemporary undergraduates in the biological sciences have unprecedented access to scientific information. Although many of these students may be savvy technologists, studies from the field of library and information science consistently show that undergraduates often struggle to locate, evaluate, and use high-quality, reputable sources of…

A collaboration to develop materials that will foster critical thinking and communication skills through library-based research is described and presented. Library activities were designed to promote the use of cognitive skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. This was a pilot study designed to expose undergraduate students to one…

Throughout students' academic careers, they are required to perform a variety of speech-related activities. According to one study, students with demonstrated communication anxiety are less successful academically. Both the instructor and the librarian can contribute to assisting the student with communication anxiety. Using a variety of…

This handout is a guide to library resources in the J. Murrey Atkins Library at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and is intended to help students find sources of criticism on the fiction of the British Restoration writer, Aphra Behn. The guide explains important reference sources in the Atkins library reference collection and how to…

"Library Skills for ESL Students" is a teacher's manual for a university-level course for international students offered at Southeast Missouri State University. This manual includes most things necessary to teach this course: curriculum guide, syllabus, lesson plans, tests, quizzes, and exercises. Several problem-solving exercises are…

The relationship of traditional and nontraditional variables to grades achieved by University of Portland (Oregon) students in five different majors (business, liberal arts, education, nursing, and engineering) was studied. Traditional variables were: the college major; freshman writing class grade; California Aptitude Test (CAT) scores in…

This handbook is a guide to doing business research in a university library. Following library location and orientation information, the first section discusses the research paper, i.e., thinking about the topic and planning a research strategy, the flow of information over time, and evaluating sources. Finding and using books, journal articles,…