Promoting college library resources to students

Citation

(2003), "Promoting college library resources to students", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 31 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilds.2003.12231aab.030

Promoting college library resources to students

Promoting college library resources to students

"College and university students are confident, savvy users of electronic information resources. Like librarians, students value access to accurate, up-to-date information with easily identifiable authors, and are aware of the shortcomings of information available from the Web. Furthermore, they depend on the campus library for both electronic and print information. In 2001, for example, 89 per cent of students utilized campus libraries' print resources, and 73 per cent used campus library Web sites. But a recent OCLC White Paper on the information habits of college students found a performance gap between the students' expectations for library service and their perceptions about the service they receive, particularly Web-based information services. The data uncovered opportunities for academic librarians to connect students with their libraries' high quality resources. A successful approach, the paper suggests, should emphasize the students' and librarians' common craving for accuracy, authority, timeliness, and privacy. To convince students of those benefits requires relentless promotion, instruction and customer service. In addition, the study advocates a tight integration of the library's electronic resources with faculty, administrative, and other campus Web sites, and open access for remote users. Clear navigational guides, both online and in the library, should also be readily available" (OCLC White Paper, June 2002, available at: http://www2.oclc.org/oclc/pdf/printondemand/informationhabits.pdf)

Source: Shelflife, No. 70, 5 September 2002.