Fear at First Sight: Library Anxiety, Race, and Nova Scotia

Abstract

Multidisciplinary research and services have attempted to decrease educational barriersand increase university success for African Canadian students. However, these efforts have put limited focus on the influence of academic libraries on student success. This study examined racial differences in library anxiety and the coping methods undergraduates used in Nova Scotia, Canada. To examine student experiences, this study used a mixed-methods approach with surveys and interviews. In the preliminary phase, survey findings demonstrated no significant racial difference. The interview phase revealed that African Nova Scotian undergraduates experienced lower library anxiety than Caucasian Nova Scotians. Specifically, African Nova Scotians expressed comfort interacting with their community and public libraries prior to attending university. While attending university, their initial reaction was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting their previous experiences with community libraries. However, throughout their degree programs their library anxiety increased when faced with barriers, particularly with staff. In contrast, the interviews revealed that Caucasian Nova Scotian undergraduates experienced higher levels of discomfort and anxiety during their pre-university interactions with public libraries and throughout their university programs. Based on the findings, this study contributes to a racial and Canadian context rarely discussed in Library and Information Science. This exploratory study recognized inclusive practices and spaces as methods that librarians and staff can use to alleviate library anxiety. These practices and spaces are particularly significant in lowering library anxiety for African Nova Scotian students and should continue in order to assure a successful transition into university for these students.

Book Clubs As Means of Reducing Library Anxiety

“…Students belonging to traditionally marginalized groups may feel isolated, disconnected, and/or like they do not belong to their institution (Mallon, 2019). Fraser (2018) added, "The lack of cultural knowledge among library staff causes additional stress" (p. 7). Book clubs choosing to read diverse material increases their cultural knowledge and signals they value DEI.…”

Library anxiety among undergraduates in Nigeria

“…Fraser and Bartlett (2018) conducted a multidisciplinary study on the relationships between library anxiety and the race of the African Canadian students in Nova Scotia, Canada. The data gathered were analysed using thematic analysis for the interview and frequency counts, and percentages as well as inferential statistics for the quantitative data.…”

Institutional Literacy and Libraries: Addressing Library Anxiety with a Personal Librarian Program

“…Shelmerdine (2018) explored the work of Carl Rogers on invitational theory as a lens through which to consider library anxiety and concluded that librarianship has close parallels with the helping professions. A study by Fraser and Bartlett (2018) examined racial differences in library anxiety in a Canadian context. Their study found that while Caucasian students entered university with higher levels of library anxiety than African Nova Scotians, library anxiety increased for African Nova Scotians throughout their degree, particularly as they encountered barriers.…”