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Academic libraries and student learning outcomes

Barbara Blummer (Center for Computing Sciences, Institute for Defense Analyses, Bowie, Maryland, USA)
Jeffrey M. Kenton (College of Education, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA)

Performance Measurement and Metrics

ISSN: 1467-8047

Article publication date: 5 February 2018

1732

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on student learning outcomes and academic libraries. An analysis of 81 papers revealed the following themes: outcomes assessment of library skills instruction, tools for assessing students’ achievement of learning outcomes, institutional accreditation and student learning outcomes, academic libraries’ impact on student learning outcomes, and the creation of learning outcomes. An understanding of these themes highlights how student learning outcomes are created, assessed, and valued in the academy.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology centered on a literature review of student learning outcomes and academic libraries from 2001 to the present. To identify relevant articles on this topic, the authors searched the library literature with various combinations of the following keywords: learning outcomes, library, academic, university, college, and higher education.

Findings

An analysis of 81 papers on student learning outcomes and academic libraries revealed the following five themes: outcomes assessment of library skills instruction, assessment tools for student learning outcomes, institutional accreditation and student learning outcomes, academic libraries’ impact on student learning outcomes, and the creation of learning outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to articles published in English and after 2000.

Practical implications

The findings can be utilized to inform instructional librarians about creating and assessing student learning outcomes. In addition, the paper can assist librarians in forging partnerships with academic departments and faculty in creating student learning outcomes to support course and departmental outcomes and accreditation efforts.

Originality/value

The research offers librarians opportunities to incorporate student learning outcomes in library instruction as well as collaborate with faculty in creating student learning outcomes.

Keywords

Citation

Blummer, B. and Kenton, J.M. (2018), "Academic libraries and student learning outcomes", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/PMM-11-2017-0053

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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