Student Workers: Essential Partners in the Twenty-First Century Academic Library

Logan, Firouzeh

doi:10.1080/15228959.2012.731838

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Not only can student employment on campus play a role in subsidizing the cost of a college degree but it can support student growth and development and enhance student retention efforts (Venner and Washburn, 2021; Mitola et al ., 2018; McCoy, 2011). Many large academic libraries have made efforts to employ more student assistants and this demographic can make up more than 20% of all library staff (Logan, 2012). HIP program benefits can be visible and invisible.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, 2018), increased critical thinking skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills and experience with diverse perspectives (Mitola et al ., 2018; O'Kelly et al ., 2015; Fargo, 2018). Entrusting student assistants with meaningful activities allows them to become interested and invested in their work making them an asset to the library; some even go on to pursue a career in libraries (Logan, 2012, p. 320).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, 2015; Garrison and Merry, 2015; Vassady et al. , 2015; Bodemer, 2014; Logan, 2012; Faix et al. , 2010; Stanfield and Palmer, 2010; Holliday and Nordgren, 2005; MacAdam and Nichols, 1989; Heinlen, 1976).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifting to a high impact practice-centered student worker staffed research desk: a Hispanic serving institution perspective

DeZouche

Santos

2023

RSR

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PurposeThe authors seek to demonstrate, from a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) perspective, the importance of utilizing High Impact Practices (HIPs) for not only more meaningful student employment initiatives, but to benefit the campus community and prepare Hispanic students for success post-graduation.Design/methodology/approachEvaluation of current practices in academic libraries aided the design of the new staffing model, location and name. A survey of research desk student assistants was designed and implemented approximately one academic year after changes were executed. Survey data combined with follow-up interviews summarized the qualitative-focused assessment of the research desk's evolution and verified the validity of maintaining HIPs in libraries for Hispanic student success.FindingsThe transition of the reference desk to a student-staffed research desk was successful in that librarians were able to dedicate more time to other endeavors, such as campus outreach and collection development. The High Impact Practice (HIP)-focused desk model, along with new, customized onboarding and training materials, fulfilled their goals of giving student assistants meaningful employment on campus while also bridging the gap between the library and the mostly Hispanic, first-generation student population. An assessment from the student assistants' point of view helped them further analyze the new research desk model. They found that student assistants noticed the ease with which their peers approached the desk and how their skills learned on the research desk transferred to their classes and future careers.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restructuring of library personnel the authors were unable to implement library patron surveys to evaluate the new desk model.Originality/valueMany academic libraries and partners have made the transition to student-staffed help desks or offer peer-to-peer tutoring or mentoring services. HIPs positively impact marginalized student populations scholastically, but no current studies discuss the effect on the Hispanic student population from an HSI perspective. This study illuminates the wholistic influence HIPs have on Hispanic student assistants, not only their work and peers, but the affect on their academic and personal lives.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifting to a high impact practice-centered student worker staffed research desk: a Hispanic serving institution perspective

DeZouche

Santos

2023

RSR

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“…Establishing student reference assistant programs also has an impact on libraries at a more institutional level. Student workers augment the libraries' ability to serve more users at a lower cost (Barrett and Greenberg, 2018;Bravender et al, 2011;Logan, 2012); questions can be triaged to meet appropriate users' needs (Barsky et al, 2010;Brenza et al, 2015;Faix, 2014;Meyer and Torreano, 2017;Neal et al, 2010); and service hours can be extended (Aho et al, 2011;Lux and Rich, 2016;Wu, 2003). However, behind these easily quantifiable effects lie a wealth of additional benefits.…”

Section: Rsr 474mentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing and assessing a graduate student reference service

Canuel

Hervieux

Bergsten

et al. 2019

RSR

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to formally assess the training program received by information studies graduate students and the reference services they provided at a research-intensive university. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis was used to evaluate if graduate students incorporated the training they received in their provision of reference services. The students’ virtual reference transcripts were coded to identify the level of questions asked, if a reference interview occurred and if different teaching methods were used by the students in their interactions. The in-person reference transactions recorded by the students were coded for the level of questions asked. Findings The main findings demonstrate a low frequency of reference interviews in chat interactions with a presence in only 23 per cent of instances while showing that instructional methods are highly used by graduate student reference assistants and are present in 66 per cent of chat conversations. Originality/value This study is of interest to academic libraries who wish to partner with information studies programs and schools to offer graduate students valuable work experience. It aims to show the value that graduate students can bring to reference services. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of continuously developing training programs and assessing the performance of graduate students working in these roles.

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“…Junior student workers shadow senior student workers for at least six months while building their skills. In the past, student workers within libraries have been looked on as a low skill resource; however this is changing, as libraries are now seeking to hire students who can bring a variety of skills and capabilities to workflows and projects (Logan, 2012). In addition, peer-to-peer learning can enhance students’ college experiences by providing community and support, connecting students to one another and the university community at large (Mitchell and Soini, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing a maker culture beyond the makerspace

Beavers

Cady

Jiang

et al. 2019

LHT

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of fostering a maker culture in a liberal arts university. It explores the impact of making on student learning and engagement, as well as the role of the library’s maker program. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a case study that presents the tools and activities used in an academic library’s maker program. Structured interviews were conducted with faculty, staff and students to review the program and maker culture influence on campus. Findings Findings highlight the library’s role in supporting maker culture on a liberal arts campus and address ways making contributes to student engagement and learning. Interviewees also recommend strategies to increase awareness and market the library’s maker program to engage a wider community. Originality/value Though there are many articles written about the maker movement and libraries, this study contributes to the growing body of research on makerspaces in higher education, with particular focus on a library at a liberal arts university.

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Student Workers: Essential Partners in the Twenty-First Century Academic Library

Cited by 15 publications

References 7 publications

Shifting to a high impact practice-centered student worker staffed research desk: a Hispanic serving institution perspective

Shifting to a high impact practice-centered student worker staffed research desk: a Hispanic serving institution perspective

Developing and assessing a graduate student reference service

Establishing a maker culture beyond the makerspace

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