Article Review Presentation
- 1. A Study of Student Use of Library Computers A review of: Thompson, S. (2012). Student Use of Library Computers: Are Computers Still Relevant in Today’s Libraries?. Information Technology & Libraries, 31(4), 20-33. LIS60600 Ryan Carrig
- 2. Author Susan Thompson Coordinator of Library Systems at California State University San Marcos
- 3. Topic Do Students still use and value access to desktop services provided by the university library? Are students needs met by these services? VS.
- 4. Literature Review Describes trend away from desktops to mobile devices Some universities have begun to switch toward mobile-oriented services. The future predicts that students will continue to use mobiles devices in favor to traditional desktops.
- 5. Methodology Two periods: towards the end of the fall semester 2009, in the beginning of the spring semester 2010. Each period was two weeks long. Students answered survey questions on what kind of devices they use in the library and were observed using devices by library staff.
- 6. Results Showed library desktop services were popular and used frequently by students. Students used the computers most often for studying class or library material. Students who use library computers were more likely to use other library services. Students suggested that the library provide additional desktops.
- 7. Review- Article Strengths The article is well-written and organized effectively. The author returns to the previous literature and compares her findings to other sources in her review of the results. The author admits that there is a weakness that could be improved upon in further study.
- 8. Review- Article Weaknesses Methodology is suspect Study occurred a two varying times when the reason students were in the library were different. Second period of the study was admitted to have been conducted more carefully and included additional questions and observation locations Comparison of the two periods yields questionable results.
- 9. Suggestions Study should have been conducted at similar time periods in the semester. Combination of the results of the two periods would yield similar resultscomparison was not necessary. Changing the questions and observations skewed between periods influenced analysis.
- 10. Conclusion Article was well-written but poorly implemented. Repetition for a similar result should be possible in another library Showed that author's hypothesis that desktop services were becoming less important was untrue, against the trends shown in the literature. Author's methods established that further action needed to be undertaken by the study.