BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION FOR THE GEOSCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE: A DIGITAL WONDERLAND OR LOST IN SPACE?

Technology has not only changed the format in which students access information, it has also changed the pedagogy of bibliographic instruction. Today, bibliographic instruction takes place in high-tech classrooms where librarians are teaching students computer skills, online search techniques, and most importantly how to determine what is appropriate for their research in a Web environment. In the past, an introduction to the library consisted of a tour of the reference department where students were shown the card catalog and the "Bibliography and Index of Geology" which was conveniently bound in orange. They were instructed that these were the two major components needed to access information for geology research papers. The students were then reminded that Government Publications was closed on weekends, and thus they had to plan ahead if they wanted any maps or reports published by the USGS. Furthermore, they were admonished that it took at least three weeks for interlibrary loan, and to request books and journal articles accordingly. The color coordinated indexes and "no maps on weekends" were relatively easy to remember compared to today's proliferation of electronic resources. Today, students access the "card catalog", citation indexes, full text journal articles, and maps, all from their computer. The library is open 24/7 from anywhere that has an Internet connection, and students expect immediate gratification. This presentation will include tips and suggestions for teaching bibliographic instruction to undergraduates in a digital environment, as well as some examples of the "good" and the "bad" in terms of online resources in the geosciences.