This report presents the results of a study conducted at Northern Michigan University's (NMU) Olson Library to determine the adequacy of the preparation of NMU students for library research, the soundness of the instructional objectives set for the freshman and sophomore class levels, and possible weak points in the program's coverage. The Library…

An approach to using a student's own birthday as the basis of a library research project for college and high school students is described in this brief article. AUTHOR'S COMMENT (excerpt): I found my students became very excited about a topic that introduced them to the library while exciting their curiosity and interest: to investigate events…

A study was done in the spring semester of 1983 at the East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, to investigate the attitudes of 28 international students with regard to the importance and effectiveness of a library skills instruction course and their understanding and/or use of other library services and materials. The graduate level,…

Developed as a local supplement and instructional guide and syllabus for students enrolled in Bibliography-301: Methods of Library Research, this learners' manual focuses on such library skills as the formulation of appropriate search strategies, the selection and evaluation of reference tools and sources, the selection of needed materials from…

The impact of an introductory library skills course is evaluated through the use of a difference of means test, the t-test for significance. The purpose of the course is to provide a basic introduction to the efficient and effective use of academic libraries and their resources. Each of 55 undergraduates was pretested to determine his/her entry…

Discussion of techniques of response to the reference query from public librarian's point-of-view covers patron's need-motivation; structuring library instruction program (teaching skills related to encyclopedia use, library instruction on special subjects-health); and assisting patron in gathering materials on-site and through use of…

Identifies six successive stages in model of the library research process developed from the findings of study of high school seniors using library for two assigned research papers: initiating research assignment, selecting topic, exploring information, forming focus, collecting information, preparing to present. Assessment of the research process…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between age, college major, and the perceived library research attitudes of undergraduates. Subjects were students enrolled in a freshman level library research course at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh. Surveys were administered to 703 students in the fall and…

This article outlines an Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) CD-ROM bibliographic instruction (BI) session at an academic library, which is intended to produce knowledgeable and competent ERIC searchers. The 1.5 hour lecture session includes: a basic introduction to the ERIC database; narrowing down a search topic; using the thesaurus…

In this paper the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges addresses information competency and the need to expand students' information-gathering skills beyond that typically implemented at the present time in the curriculum of the California Community Colleges. Information competency is defined as the ability to find, evaluate, use…

The ways in which the university library can serve the honors student through the cooperation of professional librarians and faculty are discussed. A close alliance with the university librarian can help promote successful structure and student experiences with research. Attention should be focused on the development of problem-solving skills that…

Developed as a direct response to requests from librarians and principals for a scope and sequence guide for library/information skills for students in grades prekindergarten through 12, this document is designed to help librarians and teachers not only to present and document mastery of the mandated essential library/information skills, but also…

Compiled by the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians' (WAAL) Education and Library Use Committee, the Test of Minimum Library Use Skills provides examples of questions which may be used to assess students' knowledge of the 13 minimum library use skills adapted by the WAAL membership in 1983. The 59 multiple choice questions that make up…

Designed for use by students who are beginning to do research for term papers, this self-instructional library workbook presents information on the circulating and reference collections of the Madonna College Library in Livonia, Michigan. The workbook covers: (1) use of the card catalog for finding books about a specific subject and for screening…

Designed for use by freshmen in English classes at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, this workbook contains a series of exercises designed to teach students how to approach research in the library. Five exercises comprise the text, and the lessons are organized to reflect useful approaches to library search strategy. The main research tools…