This report produced by OCLC focuses on the perceptions
college students have of libraries and information resources. The study revealed
that in many areas college students use libraries more, and are more aware of
resources, than are respondents overall. Also, when correlations were done
between educational attainment and library use, there is evidence that the more
educated the respondent, the more likely they are to use libraries after formal
education is completed. These survey results confirm that libraries – both
academic and public – are used by college students. College students also
expect their library usage to increase in the future at a higher rate than do
total respondents. When asked to give advice, many student respondents
suggested increasing libraries’ open hours, improving the lighting and
furniture, hiring friendlier staff and allowing food and drink in libraries.
The results confirm that the majority of college students are still not making
high use of the array of electronic resources (online magazines, databases and
reference assistance, for example) libraries make available. However, college
students use electronic resources at higher rates and are the most familiar
with what libraries have to offer compared to usage and familiarity of overall
respondents.
De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Hawk, J., Wilson, A., Gauder, B.,
Havens, A., Limes, R., & Smith, S. (2006). College students’ perceptions of
libraries and information resources: A report to the OCLC membership. Dublin,
OH: OCLC. https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/pdfs/studentperceptions.pdf
