Formal teaching of research and library skills to help patrons locate and evaluate information effectively is called?

• A. Bibliographic instruction
• B. Reference service
• C. Filtering software
• D. Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is teaching library users how to locate and evaluate information through structured, proactive instruction. This is bibliographic instruction—the formal, often classroom-style training librarians provide to help patrons use catalogs, databases, and other resources effectively and to assess the quality and credibility of sources. It centers on building information literacy so individuals can search confidently, evaluate information, and use it responsibly.

Reference service, by contrast, is about providing help in response to a user’s question or request, rather than delivering a formal instructional session. Filtering software and the Children’s Internet Protection Act focus on content control and policy rather than teaching research skills.