This article considers whether or not public libraries are meeting the needs of formal bibliographic instruction for out-of-school patrons, with a major emphasis on older adults. Senior adults, it is contended, have specific needs that must be considered before bibliographic instruction programs can be instituted. Suggestions on how to address such as challenges and where to find further information is given. The article closes with a caution to carefully determine, not by intuition, but by empirical evidence, whether of not there is a need for bibliographic instruction. It is felt, however, when the evidence is collected, in most cases, out-of-school adults will be better served with a formal bibliographic instruction program.