ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


92

Guidelines for Bibliographic Instruction 
in Academic Libraries

Developed by the Bibliographic Instruction 
Task Force o f the Association of College and 
Research Libraries. Approved as policy by the 
ACRL Board of Directors on January 31, 1977.

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 instruc­
tion 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 evalu­
ating 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, 
etc.);

(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. ■ ■

Copies of these guidelines are available, upon 
request, from the ACRL Office, 50 E. Huron 
St., Chicago, IL 60611.