The academic library’s role in student retention: a review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims is to present and discuss the personal and educational underpinnings of undergraduate and graduate students’ persistence decision, identify initiatives and strategies academic libraries are adopting which correlates positively with student retention, identify and discuss the main causes leading to attrition and present James White Library’s experience contributing to student retention efforts at Andrews University. Design/methodology/approach A bibliographic search using databases in the areas of education and library and information science was conducted to review the literature on the relationship between library use and services and university students’ retention. Findings The main overall factors which contribute to student retention are: user-centered philosophy; involvement and engagement; student identification and sense of belonging; academic success and achievement; and point grade average (GPA) in the context of libraries, the main factors which contribute (or correlate) to student retention are: library instruction; spaces which provide social interaction and learning; and general materials’ use. Research limitations/implications This study does not provide results of actual in-person investigations conducted at libraries, rather, identifies presents, and discusses reported studies in the Education and Library & Information Science (LIS) literature. Practical implications A summary and structured presentation of the main issues concerning the library’s role in university student’s retention identifies the main personal, including non-academic and academic problems leading to student’s attrition, as well successful efforts and strategies which libraries are adopting to curtail this pressing problem within academic institutions. The paper can be used as general guidelines which academic library managers and library service providers can adopt to contribute to the university’s overall efforts to increase its graduation rate. Social implications Higher education presupposes large expenditures from providers (Universities) and students. Millions of dollars are spent by both parties each year without yielding the expected results, considering that attrition levels can reach more than 40 per cent at any given university during an academic year in the USA. Also, purposeful or intentional expensive recruitment efforts and programs can be greatly curtailed by high attrition rates. However, these can be greatly diminished by successful retention strategies. Also, society is greatly benefited with the talents, skills, and services rendered by a professional with a higher education degree. Originality value This study organizes and systematizes the many study results, ideas, and considerations concerning academic libraries and student retention which are dispersed in the literature of the field, allowing the reader and practitioner to better understand the theoretical and practical issues concerning this subject. It provides the reader with practical experiences and data which w...

Positioning the Academic Library within the Institution: A Literature Review

“…Libraries now need to understand the entirety of the student experience from recruitment to graduate employment (Weaver, 2013). Progression incorporates retention, the subject of a literature review by Oliveira (2017) which includes a section titled "Retention is the library's business too" (p. 314). Demonstrating a role in retention is important for academic libraries in their institutions, and initiatives described in the literature include hosting of supports such as writing centres (Jackson, 2017), outreach to at-risk groups (Pagowsky & Hammond, 2012), and adapting space to promote collaborative learning (Oliveira, 2017) or to establish a family reading room (Godfrey et al, 2017).…”

“…There have been many studies aiming to show linkage between strong library engagement by students and their success (Oliveira, 2017). Brown and Malenfant (2017) report positive findings from more than 200 ACRL Assessment in Action projects, particularly in terms of library instruction.…”

Positioning the Academic Library within the Institution: A Literature Review

“…Libraries now need to understand the entirety of the student experience from recruitment to graduate employment (Weaver, 2013). Progression incorporates retention, the subject of a literature review by Oliveira (2017) which includes a section titled "Retention is the library's business too" (p. 314). Demonstrating a role in retention is important for academic libraries in their institutions, and initiatives described in the literature include hosting of supports such as writing centres (Jackson, 2017), outreach to at-risk groups (Pagowsky & Hammond, 2012), and adapting space to promote collaborative learning (Oliveira, 2017) or to establish a family reading room (Godfrey et al, 2017).…”

Impact of academic libraries on grade point average (GPA): a review

“…Researchers at the University of Sunderland in England developed a “value, outcome and impact-centered performance model” used to generate evidence in support of the Student and Learning Support Service, including library services (Grieves and Pritchard, 2018, p. 11). Oliveira (2017) stated “…student success is highly correlated to persistence and degree attainment. Thus, university administrators should intentionally support the library's efforts to increase retention rates” (p. 323).…”