Angela Joyce is the International Librarian at the University of Bristol. In her role, she aims to support the over 4,000 international students from 120 countries by developing international library collections, providing training and outreach. Some of her responsibilities include giving individual training to students, liaising across the university, and promoting library services. She works to ensure international students' needs are met by gathering feedback and looking at best practices from other universities.

1. “Dear Mr Angela”
Engaging with international students at
the University of Bristol
Angela Joyce – International Librarian – June 2012

2. A short story…
• 1980: A young
languages student
called Angela Joyce
is in Perpignan,
France for her year
abroad……a few
months later she will
move on to Vienna,
Austria.

3. Fast forward to 2012
….Angela Joyce is now working at Bristol
University, as International Librarian. She still
remembers her year abroad and what it was
like…

4. Facts about University of Bristol
• Russell Group University
• C4,000 international students from 120 countries
• 21% of our students are international
• Top incoming: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
France, India, USA, Greece, Germany
• International Librarian post created Sep 2011

5. Aim of the job
• “To plan, develop, deliver, and monitor Library services
and collections that meet the changing needs of
international students, and to contribute generally to the
provision of subject-based Library services in line with
Library, departmental, faculty and University strategies,
and to represent the Library in the University”.
• (From job description)

6. The challenges
• Reaching students
• Working with SLs
effectively
• Using technology
better
• Too much information
for students
• (Many things apply to
home students too!)

7. What does job involve?
Giving 1:1
Developing training to
international students Liaising across the
collection University
Aim: to support
Aim: to support Training staff –
our international
our international international
Promoting the students
students awareness
10 Libraries
Supporting pre- Looking at
Feeding back sessional best practice
to subject students outside Bristol
librarians

8. International collection

9. Outreach
• Library leaflets
• 1:1 help
• Attend International
Office events
• Xmas & Easter events
• Facebook
• Blackboard
• Library Web page

12. Small group support works
well
Foundation English students – economics project

13. Online tutorials are popular –
produced with Camtasia
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/studentskills/content/ilitskills/tutorials/

15. Typical IL class – eg.Econs,
Finance & Management
• Mixed nationalities
• Small or large groups
• I use lots of visuals and handouts
• Aim for clear English
• Get students to participate – use PCs if possible
• Ask them about their country/libraries
• Chance to ask questions at end, in class or 1:1

16. Staff training
To build international Watching UKCISA DVD –
awareness students talk about alcohol
• Practical sessions in the UK
• Academic theory, eg.
Hofstede
• Sharing references
(EndNoteWeb)
• Discussions
• International food!
DVD image shown with thanks to UKCISA

17. Hofstede’s 4 dimensions
• Power distance
• Individualism v collectivism
• Masculinity v femininity
• Uncertainty avoidance
Hofstede has researched how people’s
workplace values are influenced by
national cultures.
(Hofstede, 2005)

18. Around the University
• I work with the International Office,
Students Union, Careers, student
counsellors, some lecturers, Erasmus
reps – with anyone who is interested in the
welfare of international students.

19. International week…Munich 2011…
Erasmus funded

20. The future…
• Internationalisation group at Bristol – look
at curriculum
• Spread the Library word
• Use more online methods eg. HK students
• Develop pre-sessional work
• Get some feedback from students
• Keep learning Mandarin!
• Contact with other international librarians

21. Final comment
From our Pro Vice-Chanchellor, Nick
Lieven:
“Treat students as I would wish to be treated
myself”.

22. Talking point….
• How do you support international
students? - Teaching/collections/social
media
• Should we be inclusive or treat
international students as special group?

23. References
• BARTY, A., LAGO, C. & UK COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS.
2008. Bridging our worlds : a DVD for training staff working with international students
: trainers' manual, London, UK Council for International Student Affairs.
• DOLAN, M & MACIAS, R, 2009. Motivating international students. Available from
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/handbook/international
• HOFSTEDE, G. H. & HOFSTEDE, G. J. 2005. Cultures and organizations : software
of the mind, New York, McGraw-Hill.
• JONES, E. 2010. Internationalisation and the student voice : higher education
perspectives, New York ; London, Routledge.
• Prepare for success. Available from http://www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk/ 2012,
University of Southampton

24. Thank you!
Angela Joyce
International Librarian
angela.joyce@bristol.ac.uk