AUTHOR: Lynda M. Duke and Andrew D. Asher (eds.)
STARTED: October 1, 2012
FINISHED: December 14, 2012
PAGES: 191
GENRE: Library Science
FIRST SENTENCE: Research assignments might seem to be one of the most routine and commonplace activity of university life.
SUMMARY: [From Barnes and Noble] How do college students really conduct research for classroom assignments? In 2008, five large Illinois universities were awarded a Library Services and Technology Act Grant to try to answer that question. The resulting ongoing study has already yielded some eye-opening results. The findings suggest changes ranging from simple adjustments in service and resources to modifying the physical layout of the library. In this book Duke and Asher, two anthropological researchers involved with the project since the beginning,
* Summarize the study’s history, including its goals, parameters, and methodology
* Offer a comprehensive discussion of the research findings, touching on issues such as website design, library instruction for faculty, and meeting the needs of commuter and minority students
* Detail a number of service reforms which have already been implemented at the participating institutions
This important book deepens our understanding of how academic libraries can better serve students’ needs, and also serves as a model for other researchers interested in a user-centered approach to evaluating library services.
THOUGHTS: I expected this book to be a bit different. I thought it would focus more on how libraries fit into university culture. It was sort of like that, but it felt more like a study about what libraries are doing wrong, could do better, etc. The information was still beneficial, but it didn't really teach me anything I didn't know. What I would have liked to see is more information about how students think the library should fit into the university community. As it is, I might go back and make a list of all the main "librarians should fix this" points. That might be of use to me in the long run.
RATING: 5/10 [meh.]
Comments