Academic Success: How Library Services Make a Difference Ying Zhong and Johanna Alexander Walter W. Stiern Library California State University, Bakersfield

Just 54 percent of students entering four- year colleges in 1997 had a degree six years later... Associated Press Nov. 15, 2005

CSUB Retention Rates for 2001 First Year Students: 78% Fourth Year Students: 53%

Which library services help students accomplish their academic work more efficiently & successfully?

1,295 Students Responded

Age of Respondents Under

Gender of Respondents Females: 75% Males: 25%

Ethnicity of Respondents

Student Class Rank Freshmen Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate

61% were first-generation college students

Survey Results

Student and Librarian Responses Compared

Which library services help students accomplish their academic work more efficiently & successfully?

Research Assistance at Reference Desk

Research Assistance at Reference Desk Students 85% Librarians 83%

Librarys Website

Students 94% Librarians 73%

Electronic Periodicals & Databases

Students 94% Librarians 92%

In-Library Computer Workstations

Students 86% Librarians 63%

Off-campus Electronic Access

Students 89% Librarians 84%

Library Hours

Students 87% Librarians 24%

Student Comment I just need more time to use the library due to the long hours commuting to campus and working.

Group Study Rooms

Students 90% Librarians 28%

Student Comment It would also be nice to have a computer area where a group can come and work on a paper…

Library Seating

Students 90% Librarians 12%

Quiet Areas

Librarians 28% Students 92%

Student Comment Please do not allow talking or conversations…in the study areas…I heard more distraction at the library than home with my kids!

Library Facilities

Students 96% Librarians 40%

10 Most Cited Factors Library Facilities Library Website Electronic Periodicals & Databases Quiet Areas Library Seating Group Study Rooms Off-campus Electronic Access Library Hours In-Library Computer Workstations Research Assistance at Reference Desk

10 Most Cited Factors Library Facilities Library Website Electronic Periodicals & Databases Quiet Areas Library Seating Group Study Rooms Off-campus Electronic Access Library Hours In-Library Computer Workstations Research Assistance at Reference Desk

Students Picks Library Facilities Library Website Electronic Periodicals & Databases Quiet Areas Library Seating Librarians Picks Electronic Periodicals & Databases Off-campus Access Reference at Desk Library Website Book Collection

5 Least Cited Factors Interlibrary loan Research assistance via Research by appointment 24/7 Reference Service Library for-credit courses

5 Least Cited Factors Interlibrary loan 61% Research help via 60% Research appointments 52% 24/7 reference service 52% Library for-credit courses 47%

Findings

Academic library services are viewed by students to directly and positively impact their academic success.

Library facility factors are prevalent for all respondents.

The library web site, electronic periodicals & databases are more significant, over and above the physical print collections.

Users put high value on both off-campus electronic access & library provided workstation access in the library.

Reference personnel friendliness is more frequently recognized than other reference factors, particularly for first- generation students.

Thank You! Ying Zhong Johanna Alexander