User education, bibliographic instruction or information literacy : semantic argument or philosophical debate

Abstract

Information literacy, bibliographic instruction or user education? These terms are widely used to describe the programmes designed to assist library clients in their use of library resources. There are as many variations in these programmes as there libraries. This study is designed to satisfy a professional curiosity regarding the appropriate uses of the above terms. Whilst the terms are often used interchangeably in the literature, their definitions suggest that this should not be occurring. Models of information seeking behaviours are compared with the definitions for user education, information literacy and bibliographic instruction. The matching of programme aims and objectives with the definitions of the three terms is an important aspect in the correct usage of the terms.