New report provides insight into the library’s evolving role in student success
Based on a Student Survey, the Technology from Sage Report Reveals Gap Between What the Student Needs and What the Library Offers
A new Technology from Sage report sheds light on challenges in the librarian-patron relationship, including the need for greater digital literacy and more tailored support for students, and recommends methods to support the student experience. “The Knowledge Gap Between Librarians and Students: Contrasting Librarian and Student Perspectives on the Undergraduate Workflow” report is the second in the Librarian Futures series.
A survey of nearly 600 students in the US, UK, and Canada highlights key findings for librarians across the undergraduate workflow — specifically in discovery, scaffolding, literacy, and engagement — and uncovers a gap between student needs and library offerings:
35 percent of students have used the library website.
63 percent use Google to conduct research while 10 percent try the library first.
Only 27 percent have entered the library building itself.
These findings suggest a need for libraries to improve their online presence and visibility on campus and build students’ digital literacy.
The report also highlights a need to increase student engagement. For example:
Only 25 percent of students reported receiving help from librarians for accessing resources, and 16 percent said librarians had helped them find good information.
While most students were aware of extracurricular library offerings, only 25 percent took advantage of additional training.
Key student groups (such as first-generation and disabled students) reported lower levels of engagement with their academic libraries.
The report concludes that by considering their current provision for students and taking the opportunity to refocus their output, librarians can continue to play an important role in reaching student learning needs.
“At Technology from Sage, we believe that the librarian will be more important than ever as institutions try to keep pace in today’s digital era and that the library is well-placed to address the gaps we identified through this report,” says Matthew Hayes, managing director of Technology from Sage. “We are dedicated to supporting libraries and librarians to perform these critical functions and it is our hope that by identifying student needs, this report will help bridge that gap.”
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About Sage
Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.
Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:
Do more - supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioral science make an impact
Work together - building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning
Think long-term - experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas
About Technology from Sage
We believe the right technology can remove barriers to knowledge. So, we curated a suite of library technologies that improve your patrons’ workflow – from managing reading lists to discovering online resources and reference management. Whether used individually or in combination, our Lean Library, Sciwheel, Talis Aspire, and Talis Elevate, technologies amplify the library's value on campus, prepare your library for the future, and are backed by the Sage name you already trust.
Find out more at: technologyfromsage.com.