College students' perceptions on sense of belonging and inclusion at the academic library during COVID-19

This paper demonstrates how university students experienced and perceived inclusion in a public research university library context during COVID-19. Both quantitative (n = 3379) and qualitative data (n = 575) from the 2021 student survey were examined to explore students' library experiences and their perceptions of inclusion. The quantitative data revealed that students using both the physical and online library had the greatest sense of belonging, whereas students who never used any library resources had the least sense of belonging. The qualitative data further revealed that when students used the in-person library space they felt a sense of belonging, as well as feeling accepted and valued; on the other hand, it was hard for them to judge inclusion when they had not been in the library due to COVID-19. This finding suggests how academic libraries need to prepare for the hybrid environment (in-person and online) so that students using online resources and services feel connected to the library

STEM undergraduate students: library use, perceptions and GPA

Purpose: This study aims to examine if differences exist in undergraduate students' library use, perceptions and grade point average (GPA) among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines. Design/methodology/approach: The current study used data from the 2018 student survey. Among 2,277 students who completed the survey (response rate = 8%), only undergraduate students (n = 1,265) were selected for this study because the current study aims to examine the differences between STEM and non-STEM undergraduate students. Findings: The findings from a Mann–Whitney U test revealed that STEM respondents perceived specific library resources (subject and course guide, library instructions and library workshops) as slightly less than non-STEM respondents. The results from ANOVA demonstrated that the mean scores in GPA for STEM respondents who never used online library, journals and databases were lower than respondents who used those library resources, regardless of STEM and non-STEM disciplines. Originality/value: Revisiting the data collected and analyzing specific user groups will be valuable to academic libraries because this study will provide academic librarians with a deeper understanding of specific user needs and perceptions of library resources and services

First-year college students’ library experience and its impact on their perceptions of academics during the pandemic

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect first-year college students’ library experience and how did their experience affect their GPA? By employing both quantitative and qualitative data collected at a public research university during spring 2021, this article found that first-year students rarely used the physical library, used the online library more often than other undergraduates, perceived the library as having a positive impact on their coursework, and determined that the online library resources and services were a primary contributor to their academic performance. Recommendations on how to improve library service and avenues for future research are provided

A Content and Comparative Analysis of Job Advertisements for Special Collections Professionals Using ACRL RBMS Guidelines

Despite a plethora of job advertisement analyses in librarianship, few studies examine advertisements for skilled special collections professionals in public services. This study analyzed job advertisements for special collections professionals in public services in 2017–2019 to understand the extent to which duties go beyond reference, instruction,and outreach. In many cases, academic librarianship requires one to manage librarianship responsibilities alongside scholarship demands, and this article reveals how expanding responsibilities may generate work–work conflict leading to burnout.</p

Excessive Workload in Special Collections Public Services Librarianship: Challenges, Feelings, and Impact

   In the academic librarianship literature, a significant amount of research on burnout, and excessive workload has been conducted. However, researchers frame the issue differently: some view this conflict as a work-life boundary issue, others view it simply as in-role related responsibility conflicts. This study focuses on the in-role related responsibility conflicts of Special Collections librarians in public services. Survey findings revealed that some current responsibilities exceeded the official position description of Special Collections librarians, and professionals were at times ambivalent about those additional responsibilities. Areas for future research are discussed. </p

The Impact of the Academic Library on Students’ Success, in Their Own Words

This study explored students’ perceptions of the library’s impact on their academic success based on open-ended responses from a 2018 survey assessing student use and satisfaction. The qualitative findings demonstrated differences in the library resources students perceived as contributing to their achievements, based on such demographics as race, class, program, and college. Also, the results revealed that success is multifaceted and more than just a number determined by a high GPA (grade point average). More qualitative research exploring student-defined success and library impact is needed

University Students’ Library Experience and Its Impact on Their GPA During the Pandemic

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Impact of COVID-19 on the use of the academic library

Purpose: This study examines differences in library use patterns (in-person visits, online use, reference transactions, library resource and services use) pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 pandemic through multiple data sets. Design/methodology/approach: Using library statistics collected during 2017/2018 and 2020/2021 and student responses to a biennial library use survey distributed in 2018 and 2021, the potential impact of the pandemic on users' behaviors was explored. Findings: Library use statistics and the biennial survey responses demonstrate that users' overall library use was impacted by COVID-19. Both the library's gate count and students' frequency of library visits showed a dramatic decrease. The use of virtual support to patrons increased during COVID-19 as reflected by the increase in email and chat reference interactions and virtual consultations. Practical implications: As students return to the physical classroom, observing library use via various data will help inform how well use of the library rebounded or if there are changes in users' behavior that suggest the need for the promotion of library services or an expansion in alternative services to support users. Originality/value: This article highlights the importance of continuously obtaining various data sets to observe trends and changes. By observing multiple data points, some changes are aligned across data, whereas other changes or patterns are different. While impact on physical library use may be obvious, library use before and during the pandemic will help guide and inform how academic libraries should be prepared for hybrid environments post-pandemic

Black Undergraduate Perceptions of Inclusion and Engagement in a Public Research University : Strength , Challenges and Recommendations for Library Literature review :

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Impact of Undergraduate Students’ Library Use on Their Learning beyond GPA: Mixed-Methods Approach

The research aims to identify the primary reason for students’ library use, to explore how they characterize academic success, and to further examine the impact of library usage on student learning outcomes beyond GPA, through a mixed-methods approach. By surveying and interviewing 27 undergraduate students during 2019-2020, the findings revealed that almost every participant strongly believed that their use of library space was positively associated with their GPA, independent of how often they would use the library. While many participants defined academic success as getting a good grade, some identified academic success as developing application skills and obtaining new knowledge