Description
Book SynopsisThis book investigates the role of the North American university library in internationalization from the perspectives of both librarians and international users. It also explores how librarians and international users personally experience the phenomenon of internationalization in higher education in the United States and Canada.
Trade ReviewThis book is the result of an online survey done with a limited number of foreign students and scholars enrolled in two border universities of Canada and the United States in Ontario and New York, respectively. It was followed by in-depth interviews with 10 librarians of two universities, as well as a few foreign students and scholars. The results show that there is a need of internationalization of academic library services due to the changing impact of the introduction of technology in libraries, including databases and the internet. Views of three parties who participated in the survey are important and can help to define the roles foreign students, international scholars of various universities, and academic librarians working with them can play in internationalization of libraries in higher education. There are seven well-written chapters in the book and a good selected bibliography. . . .This book is recommended for all academic libraries with a large foreign student population and international visiting scholars. * American Reference Books Annual *
Karen Bordonaro has written this book to provide a more complete picture of the role of the library in the internationalization of the university. . . . Bordonaro has produced a study that contributes significantly to our understanding of the role of internationalization in the universities of both Canada and the United States as well as the key role that a library should play in that process. What distinguishes this study from others is that she places the library in the broader context of institutional policy and practice and she views the library through the lens of actual international students and visiting scholars whom she interviewed extensively at two institutions, one in Canada and the other in the United States. The insights she gleans from those interviews are very useful for libraries attempting to be relevant to international users. . . .The book contains a great deal of sage and practical advice for librarians planning services for international students. The focus of the book is on engaging such students in positive and relevant interactions that actually meet their needs as they view them as opposed to how librarians might see those needs. Giving voice to international users of North American libraries is the most important aspect of this book.This is a must read for North American librarians serious about serving international students and contributing positively to their institution’s efforts to broaden perspectives on campus by increasing their global presence and programs. * Information & Culture *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why another Book about International Students and Libraries? Chapter 1: Internationalization in Higher Education and the University Library Chapter 2: The Role of the University Library in Internationalization: Librarian Voices Chapter 3: The Role of the University Library in Internationalization: International Student Voices Chapter 4: The Role of the University Library in Internationalization: International Scholar Voices Chapter 5: The Role of the University Library in Internationalization: American and Canadian Perspectives Chapter 6: The Phenomenon of Internationalization: Points of Convergence Chapter 7: Putting It All Together: Informing the Practice of Academic Librarianship Selected Bibliography
