The impact of librarian-student contact on students’ information literacy competence in small colleges and universities

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the impact of librarian-student interaction on the perception of the librarian as competent and available, using library services, and information literacy competence in small universities and colleges. A sample of 261 students attending a small liberal-arts university in central Alberta completed a 64-item questionnaire that assessed these items. Results found that librarian-student contact (whether individual consultation, responses to questions, or presentation of an information literacy session to a class) was significantly associated with (a) increased perception of librarian competence, (b) heightened impression of librarian availability, (c) increased use of library resources, and (d) the library viewed as an inviting place. Each of these four were associated with enhanced information literacy competence.