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.