katie clark public slides
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Studying Students:
The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester
Katie ClarkAssociate Dean, Public Services
April 8, 2009
Project Background
• IMLS grant 2003-2004 to study faculty work practices
• Libraries hired an anthropologist• Used ethnographic methods• Results made us want to learn more
Methodologies Used
–Retrospective interviews–Photo Surveys–Mapping diaries–Interviews in student union–Late night dorm visits–Design workshops for web page–Design Charettes
Retrospective Interviews:
What do students really do when they write research papers?
Excerpts Retrospective Interviews“And from there, I just kind of poked around and it’s pretty simple to get the general understanding of how it works. Just trial and error and using what I already know about internet searches.“
Interviewer: “Was that the instructor who ran [the session]?”
Student: “About how to research …? No, it was, I don’t even know who it was, just someone who works in the library."
Students . . .• Worked on papers in chunks, with days or
weeks in between• Asked family and friends for help choosing a
topic or editing their papers• Use Google, but not only Google• Did evaluate resources – just not all the ways
that librarians recommend• Didn’t remember who gave their library session
Something you couldn’t live without
Your favorite place to study
What do you always carry with you?
Students…• Are on the go for hours at a time• Do more than just attend classes• Eat quick meals, at odd times, sometimes
just snacking wherever they are• Carry their belongings with them• Use technology everywhere• Peek study time 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
“To participate, you must:
• Be an undergraduateAND• Working on a paper
that requires you to find books and/or articles
OR• Working on a project
that requires you to find data”
Late Night @ Student Union• No problem finding materials for their
papers• Some problems organizing and writing
the papers• Knew about the college writing center• Ask professors and TA’s for help• Perception: Librarians = Print• All expect to do well
Late Night Dorm Visits
Renovation: New Student Space• Collaborative study spaces (designs)• 24/7 (diaries)• Power and data (designs)• Importance of food (designs & diaries)• Comfortable seating (photos & diaries)• Lots of big tables (designs)• Local Response
Large bay windows“This is awesome! I think I may live here.”
• 8 group study rooms• First come, first served
Student Reactions:
• “This is the new facebook “• “I love Gleason. Love. ” • “OMG, a whiteboard!"
GROUP STUDY
“This is really awesome! The new hotspot on campus .”
“Helicopter” Parents
• Research & writing assistance (interviews)
• Ease of communication (photos)
• Local response
Whoooo’s working late?
Night Owl Librarians
Help with assignments and papers
Sunday – WednesdayMarch 26 - 29 and April 2 – 5
until 11 PM
Call: 275-4478 Rush Rhees Reference
275-4465 Carlson Library Reference
IM: askURlibrary
• Understand how undergrads live and work• Understand undergrad use of library• High staff participation & engagement -- 34 of 117 staff members (30%) participated• New organizational culture -- ”When I was in college…” -- Appreciation -- Don’t guess, just ask
Implications
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/downloadables/Foster-Gibbons_cmpd.pdf