Students Research the Library: Using Student-led Ethnographic Research to Examine the Changing Role of Campus Libraries

Authors

Gina Hunter, Illinois State UniversityFollow
Dane Ward, Illinois State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

College & Research Libraries News

Publication Date

5-2011

Abstract

In this article we discuss the benefits of student-led ethnographic research on the campus library. Although students may not be able to conduct full-blown research projects (without significant faculty/staff guidance), we suggest that even small-scale projects can provide libraries with valuable insights on student life and perspectives. Such projects provide an opportunity for collaboration between librarians, faculty, and students while providing students with hands-on, mentored research experience. We use our own experience at Illinois State University’s (ISU) Milner Library to illustrate the benefits and challenges of student-led research.

Comments

This article was originally published in College & Research Libraries News 72, no. 5 (2011): 264-8. http://crln.acrl.org/content/by/year

Recommended Citation

Hunter, Gina and Ward, Dane, "Students Research the Library: Using Student-led Ethnographic Research to Examine the Changing Role of Campus Libraries" (2011). Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library. 32.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/fpml/32