Hello everyone. I am pleased to announce that two articles concerning the Library Data and Student Success project have been accepted for publication in portal: Libraries and the Academy. Both articles will be published in the April 2013 issue of the journal.
We have also posted the articles in the University of Minnesota institutional repository which means that you can view and read the articles now. Here are some links and abstracts.
Title: Analyzing Demographics: Assessing Library Use Across the Institution
Abstract: In Fall 2011, staff at the University of Minnesota Libraries-Twin Cities undertook a project to measure how often, and in what ways, students used the Libraries' services. Partnering with the University's Office of Institutional Research, the team investigated ways to match library service usage to individual accounts while retaining patron privacy to determine who was - and was not - using the library. With complete data sets, the group was able to determine overall usage rates for undergraduate and graduate students and compare how students in different colleges used library services. This article discusses data gathering techniques, analysis, and initial findings.
Title: Library Use and Undergraduate Student Outcomes: New Evidence for Students' Retention and Academic Success
Abstract: Academic libraries, like other university departments, are being asked to demonstrate their value to the institution. This study discusses the impact library usage has on the retention and academic success of first-time, first year undergraduate students at a large, public research university. Usage statistics were gathered at the University of Minnesota during the Fall 2011 semester for thirteen library access points. Analysis of the data suggests first-time, first-year undergraduate students who use the library have a higher GPA for their first semester and higher retention from fall to spring than non-library users.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
