One-on-One: Term Paper Assistance Programs.

Many academic libraries offer individualized term paper consultations to their students. While librarians intuitively recognize the merits of such sessions, which blend elements of both bibliographic instruction and reference, there has been limited analysis of the nature of research consulta tions for undergraduates and precisely why or if they work. A review of existing programs along with a study of moti vating factors and a statistical analysis of user characteris tics all provide a context for demonstrating potential user need. Taken in aggregate, the evidence offers a challenge to academic institutions to consider such a program even in libraries faced with hard choices in professional resource allocation.