[Publib] Information Literacy

[smithaa at oplin.org]

Jessica, et al. -

Having worked in academic and public contexts, my sense is that
bibliographic instruction is fundamental to both. The idea of developing
an information literacy standard, however, varies substantively.

Bibliographic instruction in a public library is frequently one-on-one;
the breadth of the public library service community and user base is such
that baseline skills vary greatly. For libraries and library systems that
serve radically different socioeconomic groups, it is very difficult to
instruct users with such disparate educational backgrounds.

In the academic context, the standard expectations that go with
preliminary academic accomplishments (high school diploma, associates,
B.A., etc.) offer a much more level baseline of user capabilities. In this
context, more formal bibliographic instruction may be offered, and is
indeed more commonplace, even expected.

Because of the diversity in most public library contexts, I do think the
idea of group bibliographic instruction is often overlooked as a
possibility. Workloads and personality styles also preclude some reference
staff from offering instruction one-on-one. This is a loss for library
users, and also for the library itself, for whom automated information
retrieval threatens the potential for community relationships.

So, instruction still happens; but standards are much harder to define,
for both users and staff.

Regards,
Aaron Smith
Cataloging/Reference Services
Clermont County Public Library, Ohio
smithaa at oplin.org


> I believe that information literacy standards are expected in the academic
> libraries, but I have witnessed little action in the public libraries.
> Basic retrieval seems to be customary, with no complaints from both patron
> and librarian. My question...Should the public library step it up in this
> age of information explosion?
>   Perhaps public libraries do practice bibliographic instruction and
> follow information literacy standards, but I have not seen it. Does
> anyone offer open session classes in basic library research skills? Are
> public librarians against bibliographic instruction? Please pardon my
> naivete, and cure my curiosity.Thanks.
>
>   Jessica MacLeod
>   Floral Park Public Library