To Be Or Not To Be:Language Preferences in Library Use

Fu Zhuo, Central Missouri State University

Jenny Emanuel, Central Missouri State University

Shuqin Jiao, Saint Louis University

Introduction

Thousands of international students to

study in the United States

Serving international students in the library

is a challenge

Librarians need to make efforts to reach

non-native English speakers

Background

Communication and cultural issues Customized bibliographic instruction for

international students Differences in library search skills International students’ previous library

experience Library jargon

Methodology

Surveyed international students at CMSU and SLU whose native language are Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and French

Questions asked about student use of library, language use while conducting research, and instruction language preference

Findings

Students are comfortable searching databases in English, though would like instruction in their native language

Interest in receiving library assistance and tutorials in their native language

The more time in the U.S., the less instruction needed in their native language

35

85

7

63

51

6

32

93

1

31

94

3

46

75

5

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9

Language Searching Preferences of Library

Databases

Don't Know/Don'tUnderstand

No

Yes

99

20

8

100

22

4

106

14

6

108

15

4

83

35

8

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16

Interest in Getting Library Information in Native Language

Don'tKnow/Don'tUnderstandNo

Yes

Suggestions

Library tours by bilingual librarians on issues such as technology, copyright, library services, and rules

Create bilingual glossaries of library terms Provide bilingual tutorials and subject guides Coordinate with the International Office to set up

library instruction sessions and tours as soon as students arrive on campus

Suggestions

Multilingual personnel sharing among consortia Initial and follow up assessment of activities

tailored to international students Inviting international upperclassmen to conduct

library tours and share their library experiences Closely watch and evaluate new library

technologies that may be beneficial to international students

Summary

In order to make international students’ educational experience as rewarding and successful as possible, academic librarians can play a crucial role in their academic lives and experience in the United States.