Implementing Kuhlthau: A new Model for Library and Reference Instruction

Abstract

Carol Kuhlthau’s research on the information search process with students has had a big influence on librarians at the Arizona State University West Library. Her model of how students actually do research has been a revelation to some; it has verified for others what they “knew” but had not fully grasped. Her model has been fully integrated into a one‐hour credit course that supports a new writing certificate program and is being used experimentally in the library’s reference services. In this article, Isbell and Kammerlocher summarize Kuhlthau’s research and the information search process, present background on the one‐credit class, and describe how they are using the ISP model in the class and as a training tool for reference services. They conclude with plans for evaluation of their efforts and student outcomes assessment and future plans for working with the ISP model.