This report explores some key problems and issues in the teaching of a course--Identification of User Information Needs--to information professionals. Tentative practical recommendations are offered, largely as they pertain to developing countries, and the following considerations are discussed: (1) manpower needs for information professionals are mainly determined by social development requirements and national priorities; (2) the broad aim of curricula for information professionals should be to produce personnel with socially relevant competencies; (3) the low status of this topic is fading, and curricula should reflect this emerging reality; (4) the identification of user needs is important; and (5) there is adequate content to make up a full course on this topic. An outline for the course is proposed, and 28 additional readings are listed. (7 references) (CGD)