Reference Is My Classroom: Setting Instructional Goals for Academic Library Reference Services

摘要

The reference encounter provides a unique one-on-one teachingopportunity. While studies have examined different methods forproviding instruction in reference, few have focused on identify-ing, defining, and implementing standardized instructional goals.This study identifies, tests, and analyzes specific instructional goalsfor reference services, using Association of College and ResearchLibraries' Information Literacy Competency Standards in an ex-amination of chat transcripts. The findings suggest ways to strate-gically support the development of information competency andcritical thinking skills through reference services. Finally, the studyprovides training tools for recognizing instructional opportunitiesin reference encounters and suggests specific librarian actions fortaking advantage of those opportunities.