Re-Envisioning Instruction for the Electronic Environment of a 21st Century Science-Engineering Library

SUMMARY

Library services have changed dramatically in recent years due to the rapid developments in both information technology and electronic resources. The behavior and expectations of users have changed as well. Users expect to find full-text information online that is retrievable with a minimum of effort. The information literacy movement is influencing the approaches of many instruction librarians, but this influence is often realized in generic materials geared to reach the greatest number of students, materials that do not suit the specific needs of science and engineering library customers. Librarians must re-envision instruction for an environment where a “one size fits all” approach is not appropriate.

Key Words:

• Library instruction
• information literacy
• serendipity
• undergraduate students