Partnering With Transfer Students: Student Voices on Academic Libraries and Transitions to Campus

• In Event: Transition Programs for College Student Success

Abstract

Academic libraries have a unique opportunity to aid in transfer student transitions to campus by sharing resources and spaces, and fostering relationships between transfer students and librarians. Drawing from sociocultural and constructivist thories, as well as Funds of Knowledge, the authors structured their inquiry of transfer student experiences by interviewing 41 transfer students at a large Western research university. Results indicate students perceive the library primarily as a study space; students frequently feel overwhelmed by the resources and spaces of their new academic library; students want opportunities to meet and engage with other transfer students; students appreciate relationship-building work from library staff. Implications for academic libraries’ role in student transitions and social learning are discussed.

Authors

• Linds West Roberts, University of Colorado Boulder

• Megan E. Welsh, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Cynthia Rain Keller, University of Colorado - Boulder