WHAT DO THEY HAVE THAT WE DON’T HAVE? Local Libraries and Distance Students – Why do Students Stray and Can we Get them Back?
• • • • •
LITERATURE
Early days of DE ACRL Guidelines Impact on local libraries Growth of online learning Technology and integration
Central Michigan University – Global Campus •
Distance education programs since 1971
•
First online courses offered in 1994
•
Currently enrolled: 8,557 (4,565 are graduate students)
BACKGROUND Online enrollments •
20% increases annually
•
12 completely online programs
•
Largest program - Master of Science in Administration (MSA)
Global Campus Library Services •
Services for off-campus and online students
•
E-resources and free delivery of print
•
Virtual research assistance and library instruction (F2F and online)
METHODOLOGY • Student survey • Library survey
METHODOLOGY Student survey •
Subjects • • •
3,300 graduate students Enrolled in online courses Proximity to two geographic locations • •
•
Oceanside, CA (Camp Pendleton center) Grand Rapids, MI (Grand Rapids center)
Web-based survey (Survey Monkey)
• 10 questions • Demographic info • •
student age program
METHODOLOGY • Library survey • Subjects
• Public library and special library staff near Grand Rapids, MI and Oceanside, CA • Target group was expanded to library staff in the states of Michigan and California • Web-based survey (Survey Monkey)
• Respondents were asked to indicate services offered • Survey asked about their perceptions regarding distance students
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA ANALYSIS Student data • Respondents • 65% over age 35 • All but 3 in graduate or doctoral programs • Most enrolled in MSA program • Where students go for library services • • • •
University library web site (65%) University library (33%) Public library (32%) Military base library (6.5%)
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA ANALYSIS Student data • Reasons for choosing a library (ranked “very important”) • Access to specific research materials • Availability of specific library services • Convenience to home or work • Most frequently used services • Searching journal databases • Obtaining full text journal articles • Research assistance
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA ANALYSIS Table 3 - Please indicate how frequently you use the following services Often
Checking out books
Sometime Never N/A s 15.66% 28.92% 30.12% 25.30% 13 24 25 21
Searching journal databases
74.39% 61
17.07% 14
8.54% 7
0% 0
Getting journal articles
73.75% 59
20% 16
5% 4
1.25% 1
Printing, copying, or scanning
9.64% 8
8.43% 45.78% 36.14% 7 38 30
Requesting materials from other libraries
19.05% 16
39.29% 33
25% 16.67% 21 14
Getting research assistance
21.95% 18
48.78% 20.73% 40 17
8.54% 7
DATA ANALYSIS Please indicate how frequently you use the following services Often Sometim Never es
N/A
Getting technical support
3.61% 37.35% 40.96% 18.07% 3 31 34 15
Using study space
4.94% 23.46% 33.33% 38.27% 4 19 27 31
Using meeting rooms
3.61% 10.84% 45.78% 39.76% 3 9 38 33
Using library computers
7.23% 15.66% 40.96% 36.14% 6 13 34 30
Having tests proctored
4.76% 14.29% 47.62% 33.33% 4 12 40 28
Attending scheduled library programs
Children's services for my kids
0% 13.10% 48.81% 38.10% 0 11 41 32
9.76% 8
6.10% 35.37% 48.78% 5 29 40
DATA ANALYSIS Student recommendations •
“I am absolutely happy with our services - they are the BEST! “
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“No suggestions. They are ahead of their time! “
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“Nothing I love the support I get from my library. I use a public library and on-line university. I just would like more Sunday afternoon hours.”
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“Easier, more intuitive access. Every time I looked for an article, it was a lot of wasted time trying to figure out how to get to the article I wanted and even getting into the database at all.”
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“Have a Librarian available for online chat more often.”
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“Giving me access to online books.”
DATA ANALYSIS Library data • Respondents • Total of 82 completed surveys • 97.5% represented public libraries • 2.5% represented special libraries
• Unknowns • Respondents represented any level of staff (director, clerk, etc.) • Extent to which patrons encountered are distance students as opposed to local college students
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA ANALYSIS
DATA ANALYSIS Selected comments •
•
• •
“This is a good way to grow library supporters. Education is
increasingly dispersed via the Internet - this is a good place for us to be.” “We are happy to serve these students both with our collection and our building. However, I wish the students knew about the databases their schools offered and that they can be accessed remotely. We'll mention it to them and even look what they have their school's website and they are often surprised with what they have to offer.” “Human face - closer to home; able to use Wi-Fi, and sometimes unaware of the support that their college/university can provide.” “Because we are a comfortable place to work and study. Our collections may not be well tailored to their needs, but we can be kind of a faux campus for people who need a space to be while they study.”
THE DISTANCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED!!!
DISCUSSION
STUDENTS EXPECT SO MUCH THESE DAYS…
DISCUSSION Student perspective: • It’s not one library over the other, it’s both • Students are “shopping” based on their needs or wants at the time • Students perceive themselves to be independent and selfsufficient Library perspective: • Library staff welcome distance students and do their best to provide the best service they can • They understand students are community members and supporters • Staff perceive distance students to be in need of additional service and hand-holding
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Accept that students use other resources
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Acknowledge and appreciate that they’re receiving service
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Increase efforts to build awareness of university resources
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Work in partnership with local libraries to improve overall service
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS Accept that students are likely to use resources and services from local libraries in addition to library services from their home institution.
RECOMMENDATIONS Acknowledge and appreciate that our students are generally accepted at these libraries and being provided with a high level of service.
RECOMMENDATIONS Continue and increase efforts to make our students aware of the services and resources available to them through their home institution library.
RECOMMENDATIONS Understand that the local library is an engaged and valuable partner in providing services to distance education students.
CONCLUSIONS • Distance education students do not appear to be straying because of unmet needs or not being fulfilled at home • Distance librarians need not worry about winning students back
• There can be a happy marriage between the different types of libraries
QUESTIONS • What is your experience? • Are distance students being well-served by all libraries? • What more can academic libraries be doing?
CONTACT INFO Michele Behr
[email protected]
Julie LaDell-Thomas
[email protected]
Presentation info: http://libguides.cmich.edu/DLS2014_LocalLibraries
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