This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit on Bibliographic Instruction (BI) in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examines current developments as well as anticipated trends based on a SPEC telephone survey of 25 ARL libraries with active BI programs. Two themes which ran through the mid-1985 interviews were the use of new…

This article presents a reading of the user interface in one public library system. Its aim is to find out the frames and competences required and used in the communication between the computer and the patron. The authors see the computer as a text that is to be read by the user who wants to search for information from the library. The transition…

This report describes efforts by three academic libraries to develop a model instructional program for online catalog users that could be adopted in other academic libraries. A key component of the research included the exploration and development of a methodology for utilizing online transaction logs to evaluate user performance. The four project…

The average age of students at Governors State University (GSU) in Illinois is 36. A study of 50 nontraditional graduate students at GSU examined their perceptions of their library research skills. This article reports on the survey findings, discusses older students and library automation, and makes recommendations for future nontraditional…

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,…

Discussion of the gender gap in computer-related activities focuses on a study of high school seniors that examined sex differences in library anxiety, computer anxiety, and anxiety in using computers for library research. The relationship between library anxiety and computer anxiety is explored, and further research is suggested. (21 references)…

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…

Describes research from the ERIC database on school library media programs. Topics discussed include library and information skills instruction; information seeking; educational equity; use of technology; censorship; school library media collections; use studies; role of the library media specialist; collective bargaining and job/certification…