Melting the IceInternational Students and UMD

Maryland Library Association (MLA) Annual ConferenceMay 4 - 6, 2011 - Clarion Resort, Ocean City, Maryland

Nedelina Tchangalovanedelina@umd.edu

Reference & Instruction LibrarianEngineering and Physical Sciences Library (EPSL)

Welcome

to the University of Maryland

in College Park!

TOTAL: 37,641 students

26,922Undergrads

10,719Grads

Fall 2010 Student Enrollment

3, 600 international students (10% of the student population)

The First Days in the US

Language barriers

Cultural differences

Social isolation

The Library Jargon

•Library Orientations

•International Coffee Hour

•Employment and MentoringStudent s and the Libraries

Sessions’ Length

• 30 min• 60 min

Yearly Statistics

• 170 students• 10 sessions

Learning Outcomes

• ACRL Standard 1• ACRL Standard 2• ACRL Standard 5

Library Orientations

Source: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/instruction-internationalstudents.html

ACRL Standards and Student Learning Outcomes

Standard Standard Standard

Recognize that there are different types of research tools, such as the Libraries' catalog, periodical databases, and the Internet.

Identify the different ways to get help from library staff.

Develop an awareness for the importance of citing works to avoid plagiarizing.

1 2 5

International Coffee Hour

Employment and Mentoring

Conclusions and Recommendations

In the classroom• Gather background

information from students• Avoid idioms• Limit the use of library

jargon• Speak clearly and at a

normal rate• Plan extra time for Q&A

Outside the classroom• Greet students with a smile• Speak first• Be patient• Learn about student’s

country and culture

ReferencesAmsberry, D. (2008). Talking the Talk: Library Classroom Communication and International Students. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 34(4), 354-357.

Baron, S. & Strout-Dapaz, A. (2001). Communicating with and empowering international students with a library skills set. Reference Services Review, 29(4), 314 - 326.

Evans, K. (2006). INTERLINK at Indiana State University: adventures in library instruction for international students. Indiana Libraries, 25(4), 8-10.

Leedock, J. & Roth, C. (Presenters). (2011, July 13). Revamping pre-arrival communications for international students. [Webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.academicimpressions.com/PDF/0711-intl-orientation.pdf

Sackers, N., Secomb, B. & Hulett, H. (2008). How well do you know your clients?: International students' preferences for learning about library services. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 39(1), 38-55.

Shaffer, C., Vardaman, L. & Miller, D. (2010). Library usage trends and needs of international students. Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian, 29 (2), 109-117. doi:10.1080/01639261003742231

University of Maryland Libraries. (2010). International Student Orientations. Retrieved from http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/instruction-internationalstudents.html