A webinar (https://youtu.be/zdgpnhoGeF0) hosted by the ACRL Instruction Section’s Instruction for Diverse Populations Committee and the Library Marketing and Outreach Interest Group. Featuring: Anamika Megwalu, San Jose State University, Mark Mattson, Penn State University; Karen Bordonaro, Brock University Moderator: Amanda Click, American University

1. Instruction and Outreach for
Diverse Populations:
A webinar hosted by the
ACRL Instruction Section’s
Instruction for Diverse
Populations Committee and
the Library Marketing and
Outreach Interest Group
Featuring:
Anamika Megwalu
San Jose State University
Mark Mattson
Penn State University
Karen Bordonaro
Brock University
Moderator:
Amanda Click
American UniversityInternational Students

2. Anamika Megwalu
Assessment &
Engineering
Librarian
San Jose State University

3. Introduction to San
Jose State University
San Jose State University is located in the heart
of Silicon Valley
In Fall 2017, SJSU’s total enrollment was 33,409
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library is one of the
very few joint public and university libraries in
the United States.

4. Overview of SJSU
International Student
Population
In Fall 2017, 3,194 international students
were enrolled.
Top 5 popular majors - Software
Engineering, Computer Engineering,
Electrical Engineering, Computer Science,
and Industrial & Systems Engineering. These
five majors constituted 58% of international
student enrollment in Fall 2017.
Out of all 3,194 international students, 1,572
came from India, 709 came from China, and
184 are from Vietnam. Other countries were
Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea,
Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong.

5. What SJSU library does for
student outreach?
Graduate Student Orientations
Library Tours
Frosh Orientation Resource Fair
Spartanpalooza
Free Coffee for Students
iWeek Celebration
Information Literacy classes

6. iWeek Celebration
and University Goal
iWeek is a celebration of the International
Education Week at SJSU
It is in line with one of the University’s
Learning Goals: Social and Global
Responsibilities
 The ability to act intentionally and
ethically to address a global or local
problem in an informed manner with a
multicultural and historical perspective
and a clear understanding of societal and
civic responsibilities.
 Diverse and global perspectives through
engagement with the multidimensional
SJSU community.

7. iWeek Celebration
Activities at SJSU
 In 2016 iWeek activities included: World Flags,
Origami Crafting, Interactive International Map,
International Film Viewing, and Librarian Speed
Networking.
 This was a 2-week celebration consisted of five
activities costing only $200.
 Article published in SJSU’s Spartan Daily:
Castro, I. (2016, November 14). SJSU students
celebrate international education week. Spartan
Daily, Retrieved from
http://www.sjsunews.com/spartan_daily/article
_c1a43bca-ab05-11e6-9c57-6fe4f8cca8e9.html.

8. Interactive
International Map
 Purpose – The purpose was to acknowledge and celebrate our
students’ identities, and to encourage conversation among
students about diversity.
 Props: laminated world map, maps of the United States and
India were displayed in a visible area on the collaborative study
floor.
 Instructions with reusable sticker dots were made available next
to the maps. Students were encouraged to identify places of
origin and countries they have visited on a world map with dots.
 Total cost = $35
 Event period = 2 weeks
 #countries identified = 45
 The popularity of this event was marked by the article published
in the University newspaper – Spartan Daily: Interactive map
encourages students to share where they have gone in the US
 http://www.sjsunews.com/spartan_daily/article_07725a86-
abd5-11e6-874e-4f107aafa082.html

9. Speed
Networking
 Purpose – To actively engage in purposeful
conversation with SJSU students. The event aimed at
connecting students with their librarians and helping
them become aware of library resources and services.
 Props: Snacks from various countries for students, a
liaison librarian board
 Total cost = $120
 Event period = 2 hours
 Human resource = 4 librarians per hour
 #students reached = 45 students
 Assessment results showed that students learned the
most about library resources at this event.

10. Advantages of
Speed Networking
Opportunity to provide explanation of
questions typically asked by international
students.
Clarifying concepts such as databases,
course reserves, interlibrary loan services,
writing centers, Student Computing
Services etc.
Clarifying roles of librarians.
Connecting students with additional
campus resources.

11. Lessons Learned
Take every opportunity to know your
international students. They really appreciate
it!
Explain library services in promotional
materials in ways that is comprehensible by
international students.
Be conscious about differences across culture
and what may be considered offensive to some.
Assessment is important as it highlights the
popular events and what students learn at
those events.

12. Thank you

13. International Student Services and Outreach
at
Penn State University Libraries
Mark Mattson
Global Partnerships and Outreach Librarian
mam1196@psu.edu

15. Informing Our Practice: Assessment
• Ithaka S+R Survey of Undergraduates
• Targeted International Student Focus Groups
• Libraries Staff Surveys and Interviews
• Select Findings:
– There is a sense of pride in international students’ use of the Libraries.
– The critical mass of international students studying at University Park Libraries projects openness
and inclusivity.
– Library jargon is particularly confusing to international students who lack the context and
experience to understand.
– Value of international collections (particularly newspapers, and multicultural exhibits).

16. Welcoming Atmosphere
• International Flags and Signage
• International Newspaper Headlines
• International Student Magazine
• International Board Games
• International Student Webpage
• Multilingual Access to the Libraries
• International Student Liaisons

17. Outreach
• Student Orientation Pop-up Library
• Country-Specific Exhibits
• International Student Lunch Chats
• International Cultures Night
• International Community Events
• Meeting with International Student Associations

18. Workshops
• Working with International Patrons
• Workshops with International Students
• International Name Pronunciation Workshops
• Collaborative Efforts with Campus Partners
• Self-Paced Web Resources

19. New Program Example
• International Book Club
– Joi Jackson, Penn State Harrisburg
– Popular International Titles
– Students Can Read in Their Own Language
– Facilitated Discussions
– Leisure Reading Collection

20. And Much, Much More!

21. Thank You!
Mark Mattson
Global Partnerships and Outreach Librarian
Penn State University
mam1196@psu.edu

22. Library Services and Support
for International Students
ACRL Webinar
March 23, 2018
Karen Bordonaro, Liaison Librarian
Brock University, Canada

23. Two Brock Projects
• Personal Librarian email program for ESL students
• Welcome Poster for new international students

24. Personal Librarian Program
• Email messages sent to all students in a department
• Monthly
• Automated
• Individually delivered
• ESL department added this past year
• 300 students
• 3 messages per semester

26. Responses from ESL students
• I am very happy to receive your
email
• The start of term was very
confusing for me … 😭😭
• If I have a search problem, I will
ask you 😊

27. Welcome Poster Project
• Created from signatures of international
students themselves
• “My name is … and I come from…” in their
native language
Example:
Je m’appelle Audrey et je viens de France!

28. Welcome Poster Displayed
• In print on the Library’s front
door and throughout the interior
• Online on the Library’s web page
Response:
“Thank you for thinking of us!”

29. International Students LibGuide

30. IELP Readers

31. Contact me for more information!
Karen Bordonaro
Liaison Librarian
James A. Gibson Library
Brock University
St. Catharines, Ontario
Canada
Email: kbordonaro@brocku.ca

32. Questions?
Instruction and Outreach for
Diverse Populations:
International Students
Anamika Megwalu
San Jose State University
anamika.megwalu@sjsu.edu
Mark Mattson
Penn State University
mam1196@psu.edu
Karen Bordonaro
Brock University
kbordonaro@brocku.ca
Amanda Click
American University
aclick@american.edu
https://goo.gl/8BnRFy