Web-based Library Tutorials: How Are We Doing? An Evaluation of ARL Member Libraries

This study describes an evaluation of library tutorials provided by the member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The evaluation was conducted to determine whether or not the Web-based library instruction tutorials available on the Home pages of ARL member libraries are pedagogically sound. Out of a sample population of 25 research libraries that were randomly chosen from the total population of 122 member ARL libraries, 19 were found to have general tutorials that were suitable for evaluation. Four of these tutorials met all six of the evaluation criteria applied, but the remaining 15 met only some of the criteria. It appears that many libraries are following sound pedagogical strategies for the instruction of their learners, but few are complete in their attempts. Further research and continued evaluation of Web-based library tutorials are suggested.