Top management in academic/university libraries must play a more significant role within the academic setting by reorganizing library spaces or building new libraries that will be aligned with the new teaching pedagogies and today’s students’ learning preference styles. The aim of this review is to present and discuss trends related to how librarians are redefining academic libraries’ buildings and spaces in order to be better aligned to current pedagogies and students’ learning styles and needs
Purpose -This study aims at identifying Andrews University's students' perceptions, behavior, use, and attitudes towards e-textbook and e-books in general. Design/methodology/approach -In the Fall semester of 2001-2012, Andrews University's bookstore offered 74 e-textbooks for purchase. The teachers who had the opportunity of using these e-textbooks for their classes were asked to distribute two questionnaires to their students: one to those who chose to buy and use the e-textbook and a slightly different one to those who chose the traditional print textbook. The results were tabulated and compared to the results of similar studies since 2001. Findings -A 65 percent return rate was obtained. Several findings closely replicate results of many studies on this area. For more than a decade, studies show that students prefer the hardcover book over the e-book for their studies. Lack of awareness, not knowing how to get it, eyestrain, and difficulty of reading are the main culprits for students not using e-books more often. However, those who use e-books report they are generally satisfied. Students would like to enjoy fewer restrictions on printing and copying, PDA accessibility, more titles in their area of studies and better e-book readers. They do not usually read e-books cover to cover. The library is not their main point of entry or search for e-books. Students value portability, instant access, light weight and ability to store large amounts of materials.Research limitations/implications -The sample population was limited to the classes which had access to an e-textbook. A broader and more complete understanding could have been obtained if the study included all of the student population. It is not possible to generalize the findings due to the fact that the study was done in a specific academic setting. Practical implications -Universities and libraries are highly engaged in this topic at the present moment. Results of studies like this one will provide data useful for collection development policies and the pedagogy adopted by faculty in the classroom. Social implications -This is a topic that is of increasing importance in all parts of the world, and is affecting how people and, more specifically, students read and learn. It has the potential of changing reading habits and how students absorb information and knowledge, as well as how they use libraries. Originality/value -E-books will have a definitive impact in new models of acquiring, accessing, and distributing information materials for and to the academic community. The paper will help the library better understand students' preferences and study habits which will have an impact on decisions regarding types of services it should provide and collection building decisions.
Purpose This paper aims is to present and discuss the personal and educational underpinnings of undergraduate and graduate students’ persistence decision, identify initiatives and strategies academic libraries are adopting which correlates positively with student retention, identify and discuss the main causes leading to attrition and present James White Library’s experience contributing to student retention efforts at Andrews University. Design/methodology/approach A bibliographic search using databases in the areas of education and library and information science was conducted to review the literature on the relationship between library use and services and university students’ retention. Findings The main overall factors which contribute to student retention are: user-centered philosophy; involvement and engagement; student identification and sense of belonging; academic success and achievement; and point grade average (GPA) in the context of libraries, the main factors which contribute (or correlate) to student retention are: library instruction; spaces which provide social interaction and learning; and general materials’ use. Research limitations/implications This study does not provide results of actual in-person investigations conducted at libraries, rather, identifies presents, and discusses reported studies in the Education and Library & Information Science (LIS) literature. Practical implications A summary and structured presentation of the main issues concerning the library’s role in university student’s retention identifies the main personal, including non-academic and academic problems leading to student’s attrition, as well successful efforts and strategies which libraries are adopting to curtail this pressing problem within academic institutions. The paper can be used as general guidelines which academic library managers and library service providers can adopt to contribute to the university’s overall efforts to increase its graduation rate. Social implications Higher education presupposes large expenditures from providers (Universities) and students. Millions of dollars are spent by both parties each year without yielding the expected results, considering that attrition levels can reach more than 40 per cent at any given university during an academic year in the USA. Also, purposeful or intentional expensive recruitment efforts and programs can be greatly curtailed by high attrition rates. However, these can be greatly diminished by successful retention strategies. Also, society is greatly benefited with the talents, skills, and services rendered by a professional with a higher education degree. Originality value This study organizes and systematizes the many study results, ideas, and considerations concerning academic libraries and student retention which are dispersed in the literature of the field, allowing the reader and practitioner to better understand the theoretical and practical issues concerning this subject. It provides the reader with practical experiences and data which w...
Pesquisas já realizadas indicam que os gerentes de unidades de informação exercem uma gama variada de atividades gerenciais além das tradicionalmente conhecidas e esboçadas em livros textos. Estas atividades possuem importância relativa para o sucesso do trabalho gerencial, são realizadas com freqüência diferenciadas e algumas são consideradas como sendo mais fáceis de serem executadas que outras. Esta pesquisa objetiva identificar qual a relação que existe entre as atividades consideradas mais relevantes e alguns fatores inerentes ao ambiente e estrutura da unidade de informação bem como a experiência administrativa já adquirida pelos gerentes destas unidades. Os dados são analisados tendo em vista sugestões para uma formação acadêmica mais adequada dos profissionais da informação.
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