The Impact of the Academic Library on Students’ Success, in Their Own Words

This study explored students’ perceptions of the library’s impact on their academic success based on open-ended responses from a 2018 survey assessing student use and satisfaction. The qualitative findings demonstrated differences in the library resources students perceived as contributing to their achievements, based on such demographics as race, class, program, and college. Also, the results revealed that success is multifaceted and more than just a number determined by a high GPA (grade point average). More qualitative research exploring student-defined success and library impact is needed.