Assessing Demographics and Needs of Online Students before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from Academic Libraries

Abstract

Students are integral to all universities, and online students have long been a growing and important population within higher education. Understanding the shifts of demographics and needs of online students through a global pandemic is crucial for university administrators, instructors, and librarians. For this analysis, a librarian at a mid-sized, public university performed a mixed-method study with interviews and surveys to virtual students about their academic needs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study found that online students continue to want versatile and diverse library tools and resources to advance their academic success to face world challenges.