ABSTRACT
Developments in bibliographic databases over the last 20 years or so have radically changed the skills required of students at all levels for successful information retrieval. Unfortunately, students have not kept up with these developments and tend to be unaware of the need for knowledge of the basic techniques for electronic search strategy, using Boolean logic and other options.
Students also find it difficult to accept that these skills apply to all bibliographic databases and that therefore there is no need for instruction to be subject-specific except within very broad areas.
To change these attitudes, the library at The University of Glasgow developed a suite of interactive computer-assisted learning packages, which were then evaluated both internally and externally. Feedback from librarians and students has been enthusiastic. They can be used at any time by individual students on the library’s network, but they have also been incorporated into teaching programmes.
One of the packages, ‘Computer Sources’, is described in some detail, as is its role in the development of information skills training in The University of Glasgow. The Arts and Divinity Research Training Course is briefly described as an example.
