International Student Information Competence

A Survey of Incoming International Students at San José State University

Pamela Jackson

San José State University

AbstractThis poster presentation explores collaborative efforts between San José State University’s Library and the Office of International Programs and Services to survey the library needs of SJSU’s international student population. Phase one of the survey, completed Fall 2003, looks at the library needs of incoming international students at SJSU. Survey results will lead to the implementation of library programs that support the information competence, retention and academic success of international students.

Library Research Suggests…

• Students from other countries are accustomed to varying degrees of access to information.

• International students come to American universities with limited training in traditional print sources, computer and database use, and are often unaware of how an American library functions.

• Librarians and students encounter difficulty with language barriers and nonverbal communication problems.

Do the same findings still hold true in today’s global information society?

• Are international students computer literate?

• Are libraries closed to free public access in students home countries?

• Is library terminology foreign to international students?

• Is language the major barrier to effective library service?

More Library Research is Necessary to Determine Needs of International Students as They Perceive Them.

International programs offices and librarians, not

international students, are often surveyed.

Last published library needs survey of international

students:1993

Fall 2003 Survey Results

Distribution of Incoming International Students by Residence Area

0 20 40 60 80 100

121 Survey Respondents

Fal

l 200

3

Eastern EuropeAfricaMediterraneanCentral AmericaNorth AmericaAustraliaSouth AmericaMiddle EastWestern EuropeAsia

Demographics

Approximately 67% are under age 25

Gender is nearly equal

Approximately 51% are graduate students

Time in the U.S. was a few days for students new to the country and an average of 2.5 years for transfer students (transfers are all students who have previously studies in the U.S., including graduate students)

Major Areas/Fields of Study

05

1015202530354045

Number

Major/Field of Study

Engineering

Business

Computer Science

All Other SocialSciences All Other Humanities

All Other Sciences

37%

27%

8%

18%

6%4%

Library and Computer Use Before Coming to the U.S.

used a library in their home country

used a computer inside a library

used the WWW

used email

conducted computerized library research

G a m es W e b D e s ign P ro g ram m ing D a tab a se D es ign T e ch n ica l so ftw a re

O ther C om puter U ses--S tudents W rote

What do you like about the library?

“We can connect to the Internet

easily.”

“Rooms for studying in

groups.”

“It is great to see foreign language books, esp. in Urdu.”

“Cooperative staff. People are helpful.”

“Laptop connections at every desk.”

What do you dislike about the library?“The Internet speed is

so slow.”

“Students don’t have unlimited web access.”

(.i.e. a 24 hour computer lab)

“There are not a lot of

open computers.”

“Hours are too short.”

(frequently noted)

“Long lines for checkouts.”

“A bit confusing

to first timers.”

What library services can we provide to help international students?

“Friendly reference desk employees.”“Web access.”“Give us more orientation on how to use it.”“More multimedia resources in different languages.”“Tell us how to use it by email.”“24 hours internet service.”“There isn’t enough time to surf the net.”“Hard to find books after checking the catalog.”“Signs telling what books are on what floors.”

What information would you like the library to provide?

•More orientation to the library

•More resources in other languages, especially daily newspapers from their home countries.

•Local area information

• Job-related information

What the Library Can Do

• Strengthen the library’s presence at international student orientations. Collaborate with International Programs Offices.

• Create introductory library guides for international students. • Bring students to the library. It is important for them to see the

space. • Include an demonstration and tour of the library’s online resources

and web presence.• Welcome students by arranging for library orientation tours in

languages other than English, if possible. • ‘Library Orientation 101,’ an online tutorial is in the works and

may be translated into languages other than English.

Provide a solid foundation for international student success by increasing library orientation efforts for this target group.

What We’ve Learned So Far

• Basic library orientation in multiple languages can enhance international student learning.

• Information competence initiatives are needed at the graduate level where the largest percentage of international students are enrolled.

• Incoming students are highly computer literate and most have used a library in their home country.

Phase 2 of the survey, targeting continuing international students, will begin in January 2004.

pjackson@sjsu.edu