The Role of the Library in Determining Student Success

 The Role of the Library in Determining Student Success

By Melissa Arreola

Image by M. Ikhwan Habib, courtesy of Vecteezy

What does it mean to be a successful student? Success can be measured in many ways, whether it be reaching academic goals, receiving passing grades, or obtaining a degree or diploma. Sometimes it just means feeling a sense of achievement and personal self-satisfaction. Wherever your definition of success lies – library resources can help you get there. There is an abundance of data that supports the idea of libraries contributing to student success in a major way. Let’s take a look at just how they do it.

A four-year long study done by librarians at the University of North Texas was conducted to evaluate the impact of library instruction on student outcomes. The study compared two groups of students, all of whom were enrolled in a core-level English class – one group received a one-shot library instruction session while the other group did not (Rowe, et al). Their findings concluded that there was indeed a positive correlation between attending the library session and achieving success, which in their study was defined by GPA, pass/fail status, and retention (Rowe, et al). By receiving just one instructional session, students were able to statistically outperform those who hadn’t. Knowing what the library has to offer in terms of resources as well as knowing how to access them clearly provides a measurable advantage in terms of academic achievement.

This study also highlights how important information literacy is and its impact on success rates, especially for students who come from low-income or rural areas who are unaware of the vast amount of resources libraries have to offer. As Michelle Adam said in a 2011 issue of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, “students benefit little from resources if they don’t know how to use them” (Adam).

While numbers and percentages can give us insight into the quantitative indicators of success, understanding personal opinions sheds light on why those numbers are what they are. Researcher Jennifer Meyer and her colleagues conducted a study with a multimethod approach to understand the factors contributing to undergraduate student success at the University of Northern Colorado. In their study, they not only looked at statistical data, they also conducted student interviews in order to tap into the minds of those who actually use the library in pursuit of their academic goals. When asked how the library contributed to their success as students, a lot of them shared similar thoughts, like how the library is perceived as a calming place to focus where distractions are limited and there are people there who can either help with tasks or provide a sense of camaraderie (Mayer, et al). Many mentioned the abundance of resources – from databases and archival materials to software packages, equipment, and access to other types of technology that they may not otherwise be able to afford (Mayer, et al). The general consensus throughout all of the interviews was that the library as a whole provides both a physical space and the resources needed for students to reach their fullest academic potential.

Libraries are known for being informational pipelines, making them a vital factor in academic success for all ages. From supporting school curriculums in grade schools and colleges, to providing beneficial access to technology and software that supplement higher learning, libraries are spaces with undeniable value. Knowing how to access and take advantage of what the library has to offer can often be a determining factor in the achievement of student success.

For more information and research studies tackling this topic, check out the links below:

Initiatives for Student Success: The Key Role of the Library

The Library's Impact on University Students' Academic Success and Learning

References:

Rowe, Jennifer, et al. “The Impact of Library Instruction on Undergraduate Student Success: A Four-Year Study.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 82, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 7–18. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.82.1.7.

Adam, Michelle. "Academic Libraries at the Heart of Student Success." The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, vol. 21, no. 21, Aug 22, 2011, pp. 8-9. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/academic-libraries-at-heart-student-success/docview/905665379/se-2.

De Groote, Sandra. “The Library’s Impact on University Students’ Academic Success and Learning.” Uic, Oct. 2021, www.academia.edu/55984257/The_Library_s_Impact_on_University_Students_Academic_Success_and_Learning.

Habib, M. Ikhwan. “Education Knowledge concept.” Vecteezy, 27 Nov. 2022, www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/1952456-education-knowledge-concept.

Mayer, Jennifer, et al. “Undergraduate Student Success and Library Use: A Multimethod Approach.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 81, no. 3, Apr. 2020, pp. 378–98. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.81.3.378.

Rowe, Jennifer, et al. “The Impact of Library Instruction on Undergraduate Student Success: A Four-Year Study.” College & Research Libraries, vol. 82, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 7–18. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/crl.82.1.7.

Clarivate, Ex Libris Part Of. “Initiatives for Student Success: The Key Role of the Library.” Library Journal, www.libraryjournal.com/story/initiatives-for-student-success-the-key-role-of-the-library-lj220421.