Melting the Ice
International Students and UMD
Nedelina Tchangalova
nedelina@umd.edu
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Engineering and Physical Sciences Library (EPSL)
Maryland Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference
May 4 - 6, 2011 - Clarion Resort, Ocean City, Maryland
to the University of Maryland
in College Park!
Fall 2010 Student Enrollment
26,922
Undergrads
10,719
Grads
TOTAL: 37,641 students
3, 600 international students
(10% of the student population)
The First Days in the US
Language
barriers
Cultural
differences
Social
isolation
The Library Jargon
Student s and the Libraries
•Library Orientations
•International Coffee Hour
•Employment and Mentoring
Library Orientations
Sessions’
Length
• 30 min
• 60 min
Yearly
Statistics
Learning
Outcomes
• 170 students
• 10 sessions
• ACRL Standard 1
• ACRL Standard 2
• ACRL Standard 5
Source: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/instruction-internationalstudents.html
ACRL Standards and
Student Learning Outcomes
Recognize that
there are
different types of
research tools,
such as the
Libraries' catalog,
periodical
databases, and
the Internet.
Standard
1
Identify the
different ways to
get help from
library staff.
Standard
2
Develop an
awareness for
the importance
of citing works
to avoid
plagiarizing.
Standard
5
International Coffee Hour
Employment and Mentoring
Conclusions and
Recommendations
In the classroom
• Gather background
information from students
• Avoid idioms
• Limit the use of library
jargon
• Speak clearly and at a
normal rate
• Plan extra time for Q&A
Outside the classroom
• Greet students with a smile
• Speak first
• Be patient
• Learn about student’s
country and culture
References
Amsberry, D. (2008). Talking the Talk: Library Classroom Communication and International Students.
Journal of Academic Librarianship, 34(4), 354-357.
Baron, S. & Strout-Dapaz, A. (2001). Communicating with and empowering international students with a
library skills set. Reference Services Review, 29(4), 314 - 326.
Evans, K. (2006). INTERLINK at Indiana State University: adventures in library instruction for
international students. Indiana Libraries, 25(4), 8-10.
Leedock, J. & Roth, C. (Presenters). (2011, July 13). Revamping pre-arrival communications for
international students. [Webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.academicimpressions.com/PDF/0711intl-orientation.pdf
Sackers, N., Secomb, B. & Hulett, H. (2008). How well do you know your clients?: International students'
preferences for learning about library services. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 39(1), 38-55.
Shaffer, C., Vardaman, L. & Miller, D. (2010). Library usage trends and needs of international students.
Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian, 29 (2), 109-117. doi:10.1080/01639261003742231
University of Maryland Libraries. (2010). International Student Orientations. Retrieved from
http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/instruction-internationalstudents.html