ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


301

Draft Guidelines for Bibliographic 
Instruction in Academic Libraries

The following guidelines, prepared by the 
ACRL Bibliographic Instruction Task Force, 
will be considered by the ACRL Board of Di­
rectors at its Midwinter meeting in January 
1977. Persons who have comments of criticism 
or support for these guidelines should address 
them to ACRL President Connie Dunlap, Duke 
University, William R. Perkins Library, Dur­
ham, NC 27706, with a copy to Thomas Kirk, 
Box E-72, Earlham College, Richmond, IN 
47374.

The task force believes this statement is an 
accurate reflection of the essential ingredients 
for an excellent program of bibliographic in­
struction. Furthermore, guidelines of this type 
are needed to give support to academic li­
braries that are attempting to improve or de­
velop their instructional program. Adoption of 
this guideline statement is consistent with 
A CRL’s role in improving academic library ser­
vices.

The college and university library performs 
a unique and indispensable function in the edu­
cational process. It bears the central responsi­
bility for developing the college and university 
library collections; for extending bibliographic 
control over these collections; for instructing 
students formally and informally; and for advis­
ing faculty and scholars in the use of these 
collections.

In order to assist college and university li­
braries in the planning and evaluation of effec­
tive programs to instruct members of the aca­
demic community in the identification and use 
of information resources, the following guide­
lines for bibliographic instruction in academic 
libraries are suggested;

The library should:
(1 ) assess the needs of its academic com­

munity for orientation to the library’s 
facilities and services, and for instruction 
in the use of the library’s collections 
and bibliographic structure;

(2) prepare a written profile of the commu­
nity’s information needs;

(3) develop a written statement of objec­
tives of bibliographic instruction which:
(a ) includes immediate and long-range 

goals with projected timetables for 
implementation;

(b ) is directed to specific identified 
needs within the academic commu­
nity, and permits various methods 
of instruction for all segments of

the academic community who have 
a need to use library resources and 
services;

( c ) outlines methods by which progress 
toward the attainment of instruc­
tional objectives can be measured. 
Methodology must provide for 
measures of learning, attitude and 
cost.

(4) provide continuing financial support for 
bibliographic instruction,
(a) clearly identifiable within the li­

brary’s budget program and state­
ments;

(b ) sufficient to provide the profession­
al and supportive staff, equipment, 
materials and facilities necessary to 
attain the delineated objectives.

(5) employ librarians and other qualified 
staff to plan, implement and evaluate 
the program,
(a) inclusive of persons with training 

in: various academic disciplines, 
the identification and use of library 
resources, teaching skills, prepara­
tion and use of audiovisual and 
other instructional materials, prep­
aration and use of evaluative in­
struments, clerical skills;

(b ) in sufficient numbers necessary to 
attain the delineated objectives;

(c) clearly identifiable and of a status 
similar to persons responsible for 
planning, implementing and evaluat­
ing the other major functions of the 
library.

(6) provide facilities, equipment and ma­
terials
(a) to accommodate the preparation of 

instructional materials and the pre­
sentation of various modes of in­
struction (individual, small or large 
group, lecture, discussion, media, 
e tc.);

(b ) of sufficient size, number and scope 
to accommodate the attainment of 
the delineated objectives.

(7 ) involve the academic community in the 
formulation of objectives and the eval­
uation of their attainment.

(8) evaluate regularly the effectiveness of
the instructional program, and demon­
strate substantial attainment of written 
objectives. ■ ■