Event Schedule

Concurrent 1: Gaining Insight: What are the Preferences and Perspectives of Library Use for Online Students?

Session Format

In-person Presentation

Proposal Synopsis

The prior library experiences that online students come into university with significantly impact how they perceive and use their academic library. A survey that has been taken by over 1,200 new online students at a major R1 university provides insights into the experiences of these students. This survey was completed as the first step in a digital badge that introduced students to virtual reference. This presentation will cover the results of this survey and connect it to other literature that discusses the prior experiences and conceptions of online students and library usage. This is important because we often make assumptions about the students that we serve without really knowing if our assumptions are on point. We often forget to ask students. This survey serves as a starting point for asking students about their library use and perceptions of their academic library. This survey is part of a bigger research agenda that explores information literacy digital credentials and the student experience. People who attend this session can expect to gain a deeper awareness of the trends of new adult students and their library use and perceptions. This survey helps to influence how services and resources are marketed and delivered to online students at our institution. Attendees can also see the questions asked in the survey and use these ideas to spur their own research to inform their delivery of services to online students.

Location

WALC 1132

Start Date