Mayna Vessia- Libraries and Student Success

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Utilizing libraries as a tool for student success is hardly a new concept. Students have always been encouraged to use the space, resources, and materials offered by local library systems, whether it being an academic, school, or public library, student success can be ensured through thoughtful application of space and by outreaching to students. 

The concept of student outreach is important to consider when talking about how the library can benefit students and encourage academic achievement. Collaborating with educators I think is fundamental. When I was taking course at MSJC, some of my classes had what was called an SI (Supplemental Instruction) program for courses that were known to be particularly challenging. This program entailed peer review, peer tutoring, collaboration with the instructor, and group sessions in the library. It did not rely on one method for success, but rather used every tool in toolbox. Group sessions were necessary for this program to work, it was essentially the best way to collaborate with students and get feedback from others without the formalities of a traditional classroom environment. The sort of success of this program simply could not be possible, or as effective without the utilization of space in the library. It’s important to acknowledge that versatility in a library is essential for students. The space within the library as well as the content available, need to meet the needs of every student. As said in the article, Academic Library Spaces: Advancing Student Success and Helping Students Thrive:


“Today's physical learning spaces are formal and informal, social spaces and information spaces. These learning spaces accommodate a wide range of activities, technologies, and participants—both in-person and connected virtually. In these spaces, people need to be able to create, retrieve, combine, display, and share information, then do it all over again, all in a space that they can easily reconfigure and is well supported by staff that meet and anticipate their needs.” 


References:

Spencer, Mary Ellen and Sarah Barbara Watstein. "Academic Library Spaces: Advancing Student Success and Helping Students Thrive." portal: Libraries and the Academy, vol. 17 no. 2, 2017, p. 389-402. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/pla.2017.0024.

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