Anthropologists Study the Role of College Libraries in Education

Check this link to read about a current series of studies conducted about libraries, librarians, professors and students:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/08/22/erial_study_of_student_research_habits_at_illinois_university_libraries_reveals_alarmingly_poor_information_literacy_and_skills

The research conducted is no surprise for this librarian. The article states that the main library at the University of Chicago is difficult to find. "Hard to Find" also applies to library web pages which are often buried in a tangled web of information.

If we are to improve access to information:

1. Libraries need to be more visible on the college website.
2. Coursework for credit on the use of libraries needs to be added to curriculum.
3. Students must know that Google is not the answer to all research problems.
4. Students must know how to find information as quickly and efficiently as possible.
5. Students must know how to evaluate information.
6. We need to instill basic skills not only for math, science, reading, but also for information finding and evaluating; otherwise skills that might have been learned will be lost and the skills necessary for finding jobs, being a well rounded person, happy and successful will only continue to contribute to the "dumbing down" of society.
7. Thanks to Jeff(MPTC Reference Librarian Fond du Lac Campus) for sharing this article!