Perspectives and Experiences: Meeting Academic and Cultural Needs of International Students in Arizona.

• In Event: Librarianship in a Changing World: Google is Not Enough!

Abstract

Increasing numbers of international students are choosing American universities. In 2012-13, more than 800,000 foreign students studied at colleges and universities in the United States, a record high and 7% more than the previous year. International student enrollment at the two largest public universities in Arizona is more than double the national average percentage of total enrollment (8.4% vs. 4.0%, respectively). This does not include substantial numbers of foreign scholars, such as visiting scholars and others sponsored by foreign governments and other agencies. International students’ experiences with libraries differ depending upon their home country. Likewise, since requirements for library research vary amongst countries, many international students are not aware how libraries can contribute significantly to their academic success in the United States. To change this situation, librarians need to provide high-quality services to international students that are sensitive to the cultural complexities and barriers students encounter when using U.S. libraries. The authors, Ping Situ and Jeanne Pfander (University of Arizona) together with Alexandra Humphreys (Arizona State University), will provide their perspectives on meeting the academic and cultural needs of international students at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. They will focus on: (1) what their libraries are doing to improve services to meet the needs and encourage library use among international students; (2) strategies to promote information literacy skills of international students in libraries; and (3) partnerships that have been established with other units on campus to better serve the needs of international students.

Authors

• Ping Situ, University of Arizona

• Alexandra Humphrey, Arizona State University