Attracting and Keeping Net-Gen Student Researchers

Association of Southeastern Research LibrariesNovember2009

John LawVP Discovery Services

Primary Research

• Observational research of student researchers

• 70+ sessions across 8 universities and 2 continents

More Primary Research

• Online focus groups with end-user researchers

• 9 groups, 80 participants (multiple demographics)

More Primary Research

• Focus group sessions with librarians

• 7 groups, 47 librarians

More Primary Research

• Surveys of end-user researchers

• 10,463 respondents across diverse demographics

Problem – Library offers subpar user experience

• Meet Aaron

• 3rd year undergraduate student

• Term paper evaluating treatment by alternative press of George Bush’s handling of the Katrina disaster

The superior source for quality, credible content

Preferred for academic research and course assignments

Libraries Have an Edge

The easiest place to start the research process

Different behavior

• Compensatory behavior…

Existing Options for Accessing Library Content

• Library catalog

• eResources page

Contrasting…

• Simple• Easy• Fast

Source: Housewright, R., & Schonfeld, R. (Aug2008).

• The importance of the role of the library as a gateway for locating information has fallen over time

• The library is increasingly disintermediated from the actual research process

Secondary Research…

Secondary Research…

How Do You Know That?An Investigation of StudentResearch Practices in the Digital AgeRandall McLure and Kellian Clink

Portal: Libraries and the Academy, Vol. 9, No. 1 (2009)“It is also clear from teacher and student responses in the study that the library is seen as an intimidating and inconvenient place, especially and interestingly in its primary purpose – supporting student research and often assisting students in the identification, location, and evaluation of sources.”

“We also concede it is understandable that students are drawn to using search engines on the Internet to conduct academic research. These engines are easy to use, available to anyone with an Internet connection, and quick and bountiful in their returns.”

I get confused and end up going in circles.

Library sources are great but internet sources are the most convenient.

If only there was a Google-like search…

Researchers Speak for Themselves

"In an ideal world, the content of all the library's collections would be available through a single search box…all the traditional ILS content and the electronic resources "

Breeding, M. (2007). Next-generation library catalogs. ALA Library Technology Reports, 43(4), 5-42.

The Dream Solution is Clear

“I will believe it when I see it!” librarian in a focus group

Everything Has Been Leading To This…

Enables quick discovery of the most credible resources anywhere the library has them

• Digital or physical• Books, e-journal articles, databases, etc.• Catalog, publishers, aggregators, open access, etc.

Simplified Illustration

More Content Support

• 6,000+ publishers represented

• 50,000+ journal and periodical titles

• 500,000,000+ million items indexed so far

• Publishers and other content providers joining the Summon service weekly

The Summon Service has Content Provider Support

Beta SitesPlus…

•Grand Valley State University•University of South Australia•Rollins College•Arizona State University•University of Huddersfield•University of Texas at San Antonio•York College of Pennsylvania•University of Missouri at Kansas City•University of Dundee•North Carolina State University•University of Adelaide•Erasmus University•University of Queensland•Florida Gulf Coast University•University of LaTrobe•…

Plus…

•Grand Valley State University•University of South Australia•Rollins College•Arizona State University•University of Huddersfield•University of Texas at San Antonio•York College of Pennsylvania•University of Missouri at Kansas City•University of Dundee•North Carolina State University•University of Adelaide•Erasmus University•University of Queensland•Florida Gulf Coast University•University of LaTrobe•…

Seeing is believing

Check it out on your own

http://gvsu.edu/library

View it on your mobile device…

http://tiny.cc/summon

Dartmouth Repeat of the Observational Study

• Meet Josh

• Freshman in economics

• Research about “The Eye of Vichy” for information about France's collaboration with Nazi Germany

"I have seen the future of how libraries will provide access to information, resources, and collections. It's called "Summon" by Serial Solutions and it can become equally important as Google in everyone's everyday information seeking and use.”

Mike Eisenberg

Dean Emeritus & Professor

University of Washington

Information School

"I have seen the future of how libraries will provide "I have seen the future of how libraries will provide access to information, resources, and collections. access to information, resources, and collections. It's called "Summon" by Serial Solutions and it can It's called "Summon" by Serial Solutions and it can become equally important as Google in everyone's become equally important as Google in everyone's everyday information seeking and use.”everyday information seeking and use.”

Mike Eisenberg

Dean Emeritus & Professor

University of Washington

Information School

THANK YOU

• Published report

“Academic Libraries and the Struggle to Remain Relevant: Why Research is Conducted Elsewhere” ALIA Information Online 2009, Sydney, Australia.

• More research

serialssolutions.com/summon-research/

• More information

serialssolutions.com/summon

Discoverability – an essential, not an option

“We’re facing challenging budget years ahead. It’s essential that we raise the profile of the library and demonstrate real value”

John ShippUniversity Librarian at the University of Sydney

Everything has been leading to this