Library User Education: Examining Its Past, Projecting Its Future

TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC FACTORS, AND changes in the educational system are major factors in what is being termed a “revolution” in libraries. Does library user education have a place in that future? Some believe that libraries would be more effective concentrating their resources elsewhere. To put library instruction in perspective requires a look at its past and the status of programs in terms of content, impact, and limitations. INTRODUCTION Dramatic changes in technology and society are having a considerable impact on libraries and their instruction programs. These changes have created an urgency to teach users how to become more effective, efficient, and independent in their information searching. In response to this, the goals of library user education have expanded from teaching tools to teaching concepts and from library instruction to information literacy and lifelong learning. The Gateway to Information, developed by the Ohio State University (OSU) Library, is one response to the current issues and problems and those foreseen in the future of libraries and information. The Gateway to Information was designed to help undergraduate and graduate students identify, find, evaluate, and select the most useful information for their needs without help screens or handouts. The Gateway guides users in applying search strategy concepts and critical thinking to their information seeking. Under development since 1987,The Gateway to Information has been continuously evaluated by users; revisions have been made based on the results of more than 7,000evaluations. The Gateway is available on most Virginia M. Tiefel, Office of Library User Education, 326 Main Library, Ohio State University, Columbus,OH 43210 LIBRARY TRENDS, Vol. 44, No. 2, Fall 1995, pp. 318-38