Going the distance to reshape library services for graduate students

Abstract

As student demographics change in higher education institutions across Canada, academic libraries at the University of Victoria (UVic) Libraries face challenges associated with creating information literacy programs that engage graduate students. These challenges include a lack of understanding of cross-cultural research practices and methodologies in the students' home countries and the cultural differences between domestic and international students. At the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) Library, to implement effective information literacy programs librarians encounter obstacles such as limited library staff competencies and abilities to provide information literacy instruction, insufficient training opportunities, and resource constraints. The authors conducted a multi-year study on the information literacy needs of graduate students across two continents to promote equal learning opportunities, and quality education, to ensure sustainable access and share resources. The objectives were to create awareness about library services, gather input on current services and as well as barriers and challenges faced by students prior to implementing an information literacy program at IITGN. This poster outlines findings from the focus group interviews conducted at IITGN and UVic, the important changes implemented to create inclusive learning-centered opportunities, the collaborative work undertaken internationally, and the implementation of the train-the-trainer program for librarians.