Library anxiety among non-native speakers of English

Abstract

This paper attempts to highlight the factors causing anxiety among non-native speakers of English when using academic library resources, services and facilities. This is crucial now that academic libraries worldwide are increasingly building up their collections of electronic journals and databases, which are predominantly in the English language. Findings from studies among non-native speakers of English reveal that they are susceptible to anxiety factors, which are rarely reported in studies in the native English-speaking countries. Some of these barriers include: insufficient resources, language, retrieval, lack of library skills, technology, network, environment and services, computer and physical comfort, and emotional barriers. A search was conducted to analyze the literature published in Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) from 1986 until 2014 using the keyword 'library anxiety'. The sample selected was limited to literature on non-native speakers of English. The distinct anxiety-causing factors typically reported in these studies are recommended to be included in the library anxiety measure for future research.

Shame: The Emotional Basis of Library Anxiety

“…40 Doris Van Kampen-Breit developed the Multidimensional Library Anxiety Scale in 2004 because she wanted to know more about the changing feelings of students during the information-seeking process. 41 Even in the most recent surveys, however, the negative emotions that students express are indistinguishable from the earliest studies.…”

Library staff's understanding of attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities in libraries

“…While there is no research focusing on library anxiety in individuals with disabilities, research does show that library anxiety is especially prevalent in marginalized populations (Jiao et al. , 1996; Sinnasamy and Karim, 2016). Additionally, in the disability community there is often a stigma attached to asking for help (Conley et al.…”

“…Most of the research on library anxiety is focused on academic libraries, the setting where the Library Anxiety Scale was created. While there is no research focusing on library anxiety in individuals with disabilities, research does show that library anxiety is especially prevalent in marginalized populations (Jiao et al, 1996;Sinnasamy and Karim, 2016). Additionally, in the disability community there is often a stigma attached to asking for help (Conley et al, 2019), which is why library anxiety may be an even greater concern for individuals with disabilities.…”

Is Library Anxiety a Real Phenomenon: A Review

“…When looking at how language barriers can cause Library Anxiety, Sinnasamy & Karim (2016) highlighted that exposure to a vast number of English-language resources generates anxiety in non-native English speakers when they try to search and retrieve these resources to learn (p.1627). In line with the same results, Onwuegnuzie & Jiao (1997) highlighted that Library Anxiety was very high among young male students whose native language is not English.…”