Academic Success: How Library Services

Make a Difference

Ying Zhong and Johanna Alexander

Walter W. Stiern Library

California State University, Bakersfield

“Just 54 percent of students entering four-year colleges in 1997 had a degree six years later . . . ”

Associated Press Nov. 15, 2005

CSUB Retention Rates for 2001

First Year Students: 78%

Fourth Year Students: 53%

Which library services help students accomplish their

academic work more efficiently & successfully?

1,295 Students

Responded

Age of Respondents

69%

20%

11%

Under 27

27-40

41-59

Gender of Respondents

Females: 75%

Males: 25%

Ethnicity of Respondents

5%

6%

7%

35%47%

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

White

Mexican Americans

Other Latino

African Americans

Asian

Student Class Rank

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Freshmen Sophermore Junior Senior Graduate

Freshmen

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Graduate

61% were first-generation

college students

Survey Results

Student and Librarian Responses Compared

Which library services help students accomplish their

academic work more efficiently & successfully?

Research Assistance at Reference Desk

Research Assistance at Reference Desk

Students 85%

Librarians 83%

Library’s Website

Library’s Website

Students94%

Librarians73%

Electronic Periodicals & Databases

Electronic Periodicals & Databases

Students 94%

Librarians 92%

In-Library Computer Workstations

In-Library Computer Workstations

Students 86%

Librarians 63%

Off-campus Electronic Access

Off-campus Electronic Access

Students 89% Librarians

84%

Library Hours

Library Hours

Students 87% Librarians

24%

Student Comment“I just need more time to use the library due to the long hours commuting to campus and working.”

Group Study Rooms

Group Study Rooms

Students 90%

Librarians 28%

Student Comment“It would also be nice to have a computer area where a group can come and work on a paper…”

Library Seating

Library Seating

Students 90%

Librarians 12%

Quiet Areas

Quiet Areas

Librarians 28%

Students 92%

Student Comment“Please do not allow talking or conversations…in the study areas…I heard more distraction at the library than home with my kids!”

Library Facilities

Library Facilities

Students 96%

Librarians40%

10 Most Cited FactorsLibrary FacilitiesLibrary WebsiteElectronic Periodicals & DatabasesQuiet AreasLibrary SeatingGroup Study RoomsOff-campus Electronic AccessLibrary HoursIn-Library Computer WorkstationsResearch Assistance at Reference Desk

10 Most Cited FactorsLibrary FacilitiesLibrary WebsiteElectronic Periodicals & DatabasesQuiet AreasLibrary SeatingGroup Study RoomsOff-campus Electronic AccessLibrary HoursIn-Library Computer WorkstationsResearch Assistance at Reference Desk

Students’ Picks

Library Facilities Library Website Electronic

Periodicals & Databases

Quiet Areas Library Seating

Librarians’ Picks

Electronic Periodicals & Databases Off-campus Access Reference at Desk Library Website Book Collection

5 Least Cited Factors Interlibrary loan Research assistance via email Research by appointment 24/7 Reference Service Library for-credit courses

5 Least Cited Factors Interlibrary loan 61% Research help via email 60% Research appointments 52% 24/7 reference service 52% Library for-credit courses 47%

Findings

Academic library services are viewed by students to directly and positively impact their academic success.

Library facility factors

are prevalent for all

respondents.

The library web site, electronic periodicals & databases are more significant, over and above the physical print collections.

Users put high value on both off-campus electronic access & library provided workstation access in the library.

Reference personnel friendliness is more frequently recognized than other reference factors, particularly for first-generation students.

Thank You!

Ying Zhong yzhong@csub.edu

Johanna Alexander jalexander@csub.edu