+

Lessons from the Field: Designing Library Programs for Student Veterans

Presented by: Caroline Fuchs and Lisa Brigandi

St. John’s University

+ There’s No Such Thing as a “Typical” Student Veteran…

are attending college for the first time or have been away from an academic environment for months or years.

are older, have families, jobs, and/or are not a traditional college student.

need assistance navigating the transition from the military to college. For some this is psychological/emotional, but for many others it is administrative. The VA, enrollment, and orientation can be confusing and time-consuming.

tend to have more remedial academic needs.

are more curious and academically focused than traditional students.

But there are some common themes. Many student veterans:

+Support Available for All Students

Student Support Services for all qualifying students Qualifying students are low-income, first-generation college

students, and/or have a physical or learning disability

Free library research and technology workshops

Free health and counseling services

All clubs and campus activities are open to all students

SJU Student Veterans are welcome to take advantage of these services

+Student Veterans on Campus

Student veterans tend to feel “different” from other non-veteran students on campus

This feeling of difference can lead to the student veteran isolating him or herself from campus activities. Because they feel like they have nothing in common or that non-veteran students lack an understanding of a key part of student veterans’ lives, there is often a distance between veteran and non-veteran students on campus.

Student veterans tend to get involved when the group includes other student veterans.

Feeling included and supported fosters the sense of community on campus and can connect student veterans with important resources as well as friendships.

Isolation and Community

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So how can we specifically reach student vets?

+Support for Student Vets

Veterans-only orientation to campus for freshmen & transfer students

Student Veterans’ Association which hosts weekly meetings Faculty advisor is also involved Designated librarian liaison

Student Veteran Websites http://stjohns.campusguides.com/stjvets http://www.stjohns.edu/services/financial/veterans

Growing visibility on campus

What is already in place to assist student veterans at St. John’s University?

+

How do we know if this is working?What else do student veterans

need?How are we measuring success?

+SJU Student Veterans Survey

We asked basic demographic information: Class (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior,

or graduate) Major Name and email Branch of service Transfer student

Distributed to Incoming Students at August 2013 Veterans’ Orientation

+Comfort in Using the Library

Using the library (check all that apply) I am comfortable using library resources I am able to find appropriate information

on the libraries' homepage

I am confident doing research I am comfortable asking for help in the

library None of the above

General Questions

+Familiarity with Technology

Using tools and technology for coursework (check all that apply) I am comfortable using Microsoft Word I am comfortable using Microsoft PowerPoint I am comfortable using wikis I am comfortable using blogs I am comfortable using BlackBoard I am comfortable exploring new technologies on my own None of the above

Classroom Basics

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I know: how to renew a book in the SJU library how to contact a librarian for research assistance how to find reserve material in the library how to look for books in the library how to find the libraries’ hours where to go for help in the library none of the above

+Workshop Interest

I would be interested in attending free library workshops on: How to find books in the library How to find scholarly articles How to use library resources How to avoid plagiarism How to use proper citations (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) How to use citation software (RefWorks, Zotero) Tips on better Google searching How to use e-books from the library

What do veterans want to learn about?

+On-Campus Services

I would like additional information regarding the following University services: Resume writing workshops LinkedIn workshop Career counseling Mental health counseling VA benefits and financial aid Information on leadership development sessions Fitness center information and classes

What is offered but students aren’t aware of?

+Open Response

And open ended questions:

In the space provided, please add any additional comments or thoughts about SJU research and support services.

Please list anything else you feel you need to know about the library.

Please list any other library-related workshop you may be interested in attending.

Comments, Questions, and Feedback

+Demographics Total responses: 41

Freshman: 9

Sophomores: 6

Juniors: 6

Seniors: 0

Graduate Students: 2

Transfer Students: 23

Some students identified themselves only as transfer students, with no indication to year.

freshman sophomore junior senior graduate transfer0

5

10

15

20

25

+Responses: Majors varied from Administrative Studies to Theology

but there was a heavy concentration of students in the health and criminal justice fields.

There were 16 student veterans in the Army compared to 4 in the Air Force 1 in the Coast Guard 10 Marines 10 in the Navy and 2 Reserve members

All students reported being comfortable in at least one area of using the library (using library resources, finding information on the library homepage, confidence in doing research, or comfort in asking for help at the library).

+Technology:

Only one student did not feel comfortable with any of the technologies listed on Slide 9.

40

35

22

18

28

31

1

I am comfortable using Microsoft WordI am comfortable using Microsoft PowerPointI am comfortable using wikisI am comfortable using blogsI am comfortable using BlackBoardI am comfortable exploring new technologies on my ownNone of the above

+Circulation & Research Know-How Yet, in answering the “I Know How To” questions, the

numbers were surprisingly low

8

14

9

2221

20

10 I know how to renew a book in the SJU library

I know how to contact a librarian for research assistance

I know how to find reserve material in the library

I know how to look for books in the library

I know how to find the libraries' hours

I know where to go for help in the library

None of the above

+Library Workshops

Many were interested in library workshops on:

None

How to find books in the library

How to find scholarly articles

How to use library resources

How to avoid plagiarism

How to use proper citations (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)

How to use citation software (RefWorks, Zotero)

Tips on better Google searching

How to use e-books from the library

0 5 10 15 20 25

+University-wide Services and information on other University services.

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hop

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Caree

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Men

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VA ben

efits

and fi

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aid

Info

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Fitn

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+What’s Next?

We have only surveyed the incoming class of 2013 so far, surveys are out to the rest of the student veterans on campus

Once we have surveyed all the student vets on campus, we can design and implement workshops and tutorials to meet their needs

This information and more is available on our LibGuide at: http://stjohns.campusguides.com/libraryservicesforvets

+How to Reach Us

Caroline Fuchs, Associate Professor/Outreach Librarian fuchsc@stjohns.edu http://carolinefuchs.wordpress.com/ On Twitter: @cgfuchs

Lisa Brigandi, MLIS Candidate lisa.brigandi13@stjohns.edu