Page 80 - DLIS104_MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES

Unit 12: Organization of Reference and Information Section

Notes

Did u know? The term “library user education” has more recently been broadened to include
the concept of information literacy, which will be defined later.

Objectives of Library User Education

Objectives for library instruction were established as early as 1881 when Otis Hall Robinson called
for clarification of instructional goals at the American Library Association conference. He wanted
purposeful instruction. As relevant today as they were a hundred years ago, three important
objectives were cited:
Students need to “develop the art of discrimination” to be able to judge the value of books
to develop critical judgment;
Students need to become independent learners to teach themselves;
Students need to continue to read and study to become lifelong learners. From these objec-
tives has recently come the idea of information literacy.

Importance of library user education
Having defined library user education and some of its objectives, the next issue is the importance of
library user education. Does it make any difference in how people use information? Does effective
use of information make a difference in people’s lives? While debatable, there is a strong belief that
effective use of information is important. It has been said that you will be mentally more powerful if
you concentrate on how to find knowledge rather than try to remember everything you have
learned. It is widely recognized that the ability to use information is extremely important in today’s
society and will continue to become more so.

Self Assessement

Fill in the blanks:
1. OSU is .................... .
2. .................... are having a considerable impact on libraries and their instruction programs.
State whether the following statements are true or false:
3. Library user education teaches users how to make the most effective use of the library system.
4. The gateway to information developed by the OSU.

12.2 Summary

The Reference and Information Services Section will address all aspects of reference work,
in all types of libraries, in all regions of the world.
Dramatic changes in technology and society are having a considerable impact on libraries
and their instruction programs.

12.3 Keywords

Library User Education : teaches users how to make the most effective use of the library system.
OSU : Ohio State University

12.4 Review Questions

1. Describe the library user education.
2. What is the definition of library user education?
LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 75