International Student Information Competence A San Jos State University Survey

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International Student Information CompetenceA
San José State University Survey

• Pamela Jackson
• San José State University

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Abstract
This poster presentation explores collaborative
efforts between San José State Universitys
Library and the Office of International Programs
and Services to survey the library needs of
SJSUs international student population. A
demographic look at SJSUs international
students, gathered from the institutional
statistics, is presented here and synthesized in
preparation for the Fall 2003 survey. Survey
results will lead to the implementation of
library programs that support the information
competence, retention and academic success of
international students.
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Research Suggests

• Students from other countries are accustomed to
  varying degrees of access to information.
• International students come to American
  universities with limited training in traditional
  print sources, computer and database use, and are
  often unaware of how an American library
  functions.
• Librarians and students encounter difficulty with
  language barriers and nonverbal communication
  problems.

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Do the same findings still hold true in todays
global information society?

• Are international students computer literate?
• Are libraries closed to free public access in
  students home countries?
• Is library terminology foreign to international
  students?
• Is language the major barrier to effective
  library service?

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More Library Research is Necessary to Determine
Needs of International Students as They Perceive
Them.
International programs offices and librarians,
not international students, are often surveyed.
Last published library needs survey of
international students 1993
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Understanding of American University Library
System
Computer Skill Level
Fall 2003 International Student Survey Aims to
Reveal
Barriers to Successful Library Research
How the Library Can Contribute to Academic Success
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A Look at San José State Universitys
International Students
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San José State University Enrollment Statistics
International Students
Apx. 5
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• International student enrollment up 28.9 from
  1999.

28.9
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Distribution of International Students by
Residence Area
77
In thousands
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Distribution of International Students by
Residence Area (Non-Asian Countries)
NumberofStudents
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Distribution of International StudentsAsian
Countries
23
18
14
13
10
9
8
5
13
Countries of International Graduate Student
Origin
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Percent of Degrees Conferred to International
Students
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47.6

• Degrees conferred to International Students up
  47.6 from 1997.

47.6
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What We Know So Far

• Basic library orientation in multiple languages
  can enhance international student learning.
• Information competence initiatives are needed at
  the graduate level where a large percentage of
  international students are enrolled.
• Many international students come from
  English-speaking countries or are proficient in
  spoken and written English as a second language.
  Thus, language proficiency may not be the main
  barrier to academic success for all international
  students.

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• Fall 2003 International Student Library Needs
  Survey results will be presented in Ontario,
  California at the California Library
  Associations Annual Convention (November 16,
  2003)

International student statistics presented in
this survey were gathered from the San José State
University Statistical Abstract online
http//www.ipar.sjsu.edu/