Bibliographic Instruction: An Overview

Author: Gillian Davis
Published on: Dec 10, 2001

What is Bibliographic Instruction?

A very large part of many librarians’ jobs, whether in a public, academic, or even special library setting, is bibliographic instruction (BI). BI is sometimes also called ‘information literacy’, and involves tasks such as the following:

· Teaching patrons how to locate and use library materials

· Teaching patrons how to evaluate the information they find

· Introducing patrons to database searching

· Introducing patrons to searching the library's online catalogues and indexes

· Helping patrons become aware of information as it exists in its different formats: electronic, print, etc.

Here's how BI is defined according to ODLIS: Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science:

"Instructional programs designed to teach library users how to locate the information they need quickly and effectively. BI usually covers the library's system of organizing materials, the structure of the literature of the field, research methodologies appropriate to the discipline, and specific resources and finding tools. In academic libraries, bibliographic instruction is usually course-related or course-integrated. As more libraries install computer-equipped instruction labs, hands-on practice using online catalogs, electronic databases, and Internet resources may be included in instruction sessions, which are usually taught by an instructional services librarian. Synonymous with library instruction. Compare with user education. See also: one-shot, LIRT, LOEX, and lifelong learning."

Librarians may accomplish the task of bibliographic instruction in many ways. First, they may offer classes and teach patrons library skills in person, within the library setting. Patrons may be taught skills in a one-on-one or in a group (classroom) setting. To supplement these types of hands-on tutorials, librarians will usually also create printed instructional handouts or pathfinders that complement and reinforce the skills being taught.

But as distance education has become more prevalent on campuses and the Internet the preferred research tool, many librarians offer bibliographic instruction via the Web. It's often no longer feasible for patrons to be expected to physically come into the library to receive instruction, and librarians have been quick to realize this fact. BI on the Web is primarily accomplished by creating instructional handouts, guides, pathfinders, and PowerPoint or other presentations and posting them on the World Wide Web for patrons to access. Berkeley's Library Research Using Primary Sources and Library Research at Cornell: A Hypertext Guide are two excellent examples.

Resources

Here are some of the better resources I've found on bibliographic instruction -- I hope these are helpful to you whether you're a librarian designing your library's BI materials, a library patron, or a student.

UC Berkeley Teaching Library: Bibliographic Instruction Resources on the Internet
Created and maintained by Joe Barker. From the site:
"The Web has offered librarians a unique opportunity to share their instructional materials and techniques with one another, and to document services for their patrons at whatever level of detail the patron requires... This site is a collection of materials related to bibliographic instruction, and hopefully, a source of ideas and inspiration for other librarians and instructors. I have made a distinction between collections of guides and WWW tutorials, though this distinction is actually difficult to make in some cases. Collections refers to a site where the documents stand alone and could be marked up versions of library handouts. Tutorials refers to sites that are broken up into a step-by-step res earch guide from the researcher's point of view. These may also contain tests or assignments to teach specific research skills. The Tutorials section offers what I think are the most valuable examples of how bibliographic instructors can use the web to convey research skills."

Library Instruction Round Table
"Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) is a roundtable of the American Library Association and advocates library instruction as a means for developing competent library and information use as a part of lifelong learning. LIRT membership represents all types of libraries (academic, public, school, and special) committed to this goal."

Annotated Selected Bibliography of Full-Text Web-Based Articles Relating to Library Instruction
An excellent collection of resources from SUNY Librarians Association, Library Instruction Committee.

Internet Library for Librarians: Bibliographic Instruction

Recommended Readings for Librarians New to Instruction
From the ALA, Institute for Information Literacy.

LibraryHQ.com: Teaching Library Research Skills
Categorizes BI resources into General, Academic Library Research, Self-Instruction Websites for College Students, and School Library Skills.

National Forum on Information Literacy: Key Web Sites

BI-L
"The Bibliographic Instruction Discussion Group listserv is open to anyone interested in instruction issues." To subscribe, type: subscribe BI-L yourfirstname yourlastname in the body of the message and send to: listserv@listserv.byu.edu.

ACRL: BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION BIBLIOGRAPHY: An Annotated List of Selected Resources

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