Lana Oconnell
International students often face challenges when navigating new educational systems and library research processes. University libraries are essential resources for academic success, offering a wide range of services and materials. To help international students effectively utilise these resources, many universities provide comprehensive guides, video tutorials, seminars, and individual consultations. These resources aim to familiarise students with the library system, research techniques, and the availability of physical and online materials. Additionally, libraries often offer specialised services, such as language resources and assistance with visas and immigration, to cater to the unique needs of international students. By leveraging these resources and support systems, international students can maximise their academic potential and enhance their overall university experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students | 6,000 |
| Number of countries of origin | 130+ |
| Library services | Research guides, study spaces, borrowing and returning books, events and activities, and librarian assistance |
| Library terminology | Translated into Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese |
| Library initiatives for international students | Research ambassadors, bilingual library instruction, academic integrity addresses, information literacy support |
| English language support | Academic English Programme, textbooks, IELTS resources, translation tools |
| Library system | "Open stacks" allowing direct access to books |
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What You'll Learn
Finding resources and getting help
International students may face challenges when navigating a new library system, but there are many resources and forms of assistance available to them.
Finding Resources
University libraries offer a wide range of resources, from printed materials and study spaces to online resources such as e-journals, e-books, and databases and more. To find resources in a specific language, you can use the Enterprise catalogue, which offers books and films in various languages. This catalogue also has textbooks for learning English and preparing for English language tests. University libraries also provide access to reference works in all subjects, often with translation tools.
Getting Help
Each department or school typically has an Academic Liaison Librarian who can assist with finding resources and answering any library-related queries. These librarians play a crucial role in helping international students navigate not only the library but also the information literacy skills required for academic success. Many universities also offer 24/7 chat support with librarians, one-on-one peer assistance, and guidance on research, citations, and the English language. Additionally, some universities have centres dedicated to helping international students adjust to life in a new country, offering events and activities to foster a sense of community.
Overcoming Challenges
International students may encounter difficulties due to language barriers, cultural changes, and unfamiliarity with the academic environment and library systems. These challenges can lead to a lack of motivation and self-efficacy in seeking help. However, by understanding these challenges, librarians can provide targeted support and improve international students' library experiences.
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Borrowing and returning books
Borrowing books from the library as an international student is a straightforward process. Firstly, you need to search the library's catalogue for the book title you are interested in. If the book is available at your library, you can proceed to borrow it. Some libraries, such as the University of Michigan Library, allow you to browse the stacks and retrieve books yourself, bringing them to a circulation desk to check out. Other libraries, such as the Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins University, require you to use your student ID card (J-Card) to check out books. You will receive an email when your requested books are ready for pickup.
Loan periods for books vary depending on the library and your university status. For example, at Sheridan Libraries, students typically have a loan period of 16 weeks with unlimited renewals, while faculty members have a fixed due date of June 30th. At Snell Library, items can generally be renewed up to three times unless requested by another user. It is important to note that course reserve items usually have shorter loan periods and cannot be renewed.
If the book you want is not available at your library, you may be able to request it through interlibrary loan services. Interlibrary loans allow you to borrow books from other libraries, often including other institutions within a university system or even worldwide. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, offers interlibrary loans to faculty and graduate students, allowing them to request books from other libraries if UC Berkeley does not own them. Similarly, Northeastern University Libraries are part of the Boston Library Consortium, enabling students to borrow from other research libraries in the Greater Boston area with a BLC Consortium Card.
When borrowing books, it is essential to be mindful of due dates and return policies. Most libraries will send email reminders about upcoming due dates, but it is your responsibility to ensure that borrowed items are returned on time. Libraries may offer various options for returning books, including return bins at multiple locations or mailing services. If you do not return books by the due date, your library account may be blocked, and you may be charged for lost or damaged items.
Returning books is an important aspect of maintaining your borrowing privileges and ensuring that others have access to the materials they need. Each library has its own return policies, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the specific guidelines of your library. In some cases, you may be able to renew your borrowed items online through your library account if you need more time with them.
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Library events and activities
Libraries are a great resource for international students to access. They provide a space for learning, innovation, and engagement with peers. Library activities can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of students, fostering academic success and a love for learning.
Library Scavenger Hunt:
A fun way to introduce students to the library layout and shelving system. Students can work in groups and use a scavenger hunt template to navigate the library and locate books from different sections. This activity helps students become familiar with the library, encouraging independent research skills.
Research Projects:
Students can be divided into groups and assigned research topics. They explore the library to find relevant books and resources, read through the materials, and record interesting facts. Each group then presents their findings to the class. This activity improves research skills and promotes collaborative learning.
Author Interview Role-Play:
Students work in pairs, with one student role-playing an author and the other an interviewer. They simulate interviews with their favourite authors or from a provided list. This activity enhances their understanding of writing and storytelling, encouraging creative expression.
Interdisciplinary Projects:
Collaborate with educators from different subjects. Students research literary works and use them as inspiration for creating original artwork. For example, they can explore narratives from their English Literature course and express their interpretations through art. This deepens their understanding of literature and fosters personal connections to the content.
Cultural Diversity Events:
Organize events that celebrate and promote cultural diversity, specifically targeting international students. These events can include cultural performances, food festivals showcasing international cuisines, and educational workshops to increase cultural sensitivity among the student body and staff.
These activities aim to make the library a welcoming and engaging space for international students, helping them navigate the resources available, improve their research skills, and connect with their peers.
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Researching and writing assistance
University libraries can be daunting places, especially for international students who may be using a library of that size for the first time or who are studying in a different country and language. However, using the library is important if you want to do well in your studies. Libraries provide access to printed materials, study spaces, and online resources such as e-journals, e-books, and databases. They also offer specialist help from academic staff.
If you're an international student and you're struggling with an aspect of your course, such as writing essays, it's a good idea to seek help from your teaching assistant (TA). They can point you towards helpful resources on campus and may even offer to read over your essay drafts and give you advice and feedback.
Most colleges and universities have an on-campus writing center that is free for students to use. These writing centers are staffed by faculty and graduate students who can help students struggling to write essays for their classes. Students can seek help with specific assignments or more general essay-writing skills. The staff at the writing center can help with structure, formulating a strong thesis, and crafting supporting arguments. You can go to the writing center with ideas, notes, or a draft—you don't need to have a finished paper to get help. Some writing centers also offer English language and grammar tutoring, which can be especially helpful for international students.
If your school doesn’t offer a writing class, you may find a workshop offered on campus or even an online class, although some of these may be paid. There are also many online writing workshops that cover every aspect of writing, for every skill level. The internet is full of essay writing tips, and you can also study sample essays to get an idea of how a good essay is structured, how to craft a supporting argument, and what a strong thesis looks like.
Remember that writing doesn’t have to be a lonely activity. If you have an essay coming up, consider suggesting to friends in your course that you get together to bounce ideas off each other and write. You can also get personalized attention from writing instructors in classes, which often utilize peer editing exercises. Editing another student’s work and giving feedback is a great way to get better at editing your own work.
It is important to stay honest and avoid plagiarism when writing an essay. Plagiarism refers to using someone else’s words or ideas without proper credit or citation and passing them off as your own. Colleges and universities all have their own policies for dealing with plagiarism, and the consequences are usually quite strict.
There are also AI tools available to help with the manuscript writing process, which can be overwhelming. These tools can help with research and citation support, language and grammar checks, and plagiarism checks.
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Understanding library terms
Libraries can be daunting, especially for international students who may be unfamiliar with the library system in their host country. To help you get started, here is a guide to some common library terms:
Abstract
An abstract is a brief summary of a journal article or other resource that highlights its main points. Abstracts are usually included at the beginning of a scholarly article or in an index or bibliography.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Interlibrary Loan, or ILL, is a service that allows you to borrow materials from other libraries through your home library. This means you can access resources that your library may not have.
Journal
A journal is a periodical publication that contains scholarly research articles, papers, reports, or technical writings. Journals are published regularly and are a great source of academic information.
Stacks
Stacks refer to the shelves in the library where books and other materials are stored. The term "stacks" comes from the fact that these shelves are often stacked high with books!
Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of books, articles, and other sources that are written by one author or on a similar subject. Each entry in a bibliography includes the relevant publication information, such as title, author, date, and publisher.
Index
An index is a systematically arranged list of articles or other data that helps users locate specific items within a publication or database. Think of it as a table of contents on a larger scale.
Holdings
Holdings refer to all the materials owned by the library, including books, periodicals, microfilms, and other resources. When you search a library's catalogue, you are searching their holdings.
Adaptive Technology
Adaptive technology refers to specialised technology available in some libraries to assist students with disabilities. This can include adaptive software, assistive listening devices, or other tools to aid in research and learning.
Understanding these common library terms will help you navigate the library and its resources more confidently. Remember that librarians are always there to help if you encounter any unfamiliar terms or need assistance finding what you're looking for.
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Frequently asked questions
Most libraries in the US have an
US libraries use specialised words to describe their services and materials, which may be unfamiliar to international students. Libraries in the US also have an
University libraries offer study spaces, technology equipment, specialist research assistance, and leisure resources. They also provide access to online resources such as e-journals, e-books, and databases. Some libraries also offer language learning tools and films on DVD.
