Argues that in-college basic research skills instruction is really "remedial," and suggests solutions to problems encountered in instructional programs offered at college level. Highlights include the value of cooperative bibliographic instruction programs between universities and high schools and the Bridging the Gap program offered at…

This article suggests three ways to enhance undergraduate periodical use assignments to foster conceptual skills students need when they undertake complex research projects. Discussion covers scholarly or professional literature versus popular literature, differentiation among points of view and differing interpretations of facts, and use of…

A unit designed to help students write better papers by following a specific research strategy was added to a freshman English composition course. Following logical organization of a library from general to specific, the strategy enables students to engage in independent research and obtain high-quality information to support a paper. (EJS)

Bibliographic instruction can do more than provide directions on library use for a specific assignment; it can contribute to the objectives of liberal education by teaching skills in asking questions, critically analyzing information, and answering questions. (MSE)

Describes instructional methods and resources used by school librarians in meeting responsibility to teach students steps of an information search, validity and kind of sources, why a particular book was used, and value of reference tools. Examples are given of reference tools and situations in which they might be used. (EJS)

In order to use new educational technologies effectively and to help students cope with the mass of information that has become available, librarians have begun to develop strategies and lessons to instruct students in searching. There has been, however, no detailed curriculum in the schools to ensure that students and teachers in grades K-12 are…

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…

The integration of library user education into the general education curriculum is discussed in 25 articles. Major areas covered include bridging the gap between high school and college; library skills in community colleges; library skills in colleges and universities; library use skills for off-campus programs; and issues related to…

Discusses how to help students apply thinking skills to library research and provides examples of techniques for teaching comparing and contrasting, sequencing, classifying, cause and effect, problem solving, and decision making. Examples were effective with middle schoolers but could also be adapted for high school or older elementary school…

Describes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln University Libraries' high school users program, which has grown from a small operation into a well-developed program. The resources of a large academic research library are made available to students so they may complete their high school coursework with a wider range of resources, and possibly, gain…

Describing the "I-Search" as an approach to research that uses the power of student interests, builds a personal understanding of the research process, and encourages stronger student writing, this manual puts forward the I-Search process as the best tool which exists for connecting students effectively to the research process. The…

A college level, one-unit library research skills course is required of all students as part of a general education program at the State University College at Plattsburgh, New York. The course emphasizes the presentation of learning experiences within the context of two conceptual structures: principles that underlie information access systems,…

A syllabus intended to prepare high school students for college level library research and to provide students with skills for lifelong learning is being created by a committee of high school and college librarians and classroom teachers. The syllabus is designed to be taught by a team consisting of a library media specialist, English teacher(s),…

Living in an "information society" implies dealing with a barrage of information on a daily basis, with success and survival dependent on the ability to locate, analyze, and use information skillfully and appropriately. Information literacy, which has been defined as the ability to effectively access and evaluate information for a…

Problems faced by graduate students in research and writing and ways to improve competence in these areas are addressed. Student problems were identified through formal/informal interviews and work with graduate students over a 12-year period. In the first step of choosing a topic, students may be worried that the topic is too broad, narrow, or…