How can libraries enable student success? In this presentation at the 2022 Designing Libraries Conference, brightspot Founder Elliot Felix uses a broad range of national data to identify the key challenges and proposes solutions based on brightspot's work and his book How to Get the Most Out of College.

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Libraries and Student Success
Designing Libraries IX
Elliot Felix 2
Architects: Snøhetta and Stantec
Photography: Michael Grimm

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Barriers to student success that
academic libraries face

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Shifting demographics Source: Lumina Foundation, Today’s
Student. Article and Infographic

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Feel like part of
the community
Feel comfortable
being myself
Feel valued
5
Lacking a sense of belonging
The NSSE survey data reveal differences in belonging by race/ethnicity as well as
characteristics such as first-gen status, full- vs. part-time, and on- vs. off-campus.
Notable Differences in NSSE:
All Online Courses: +6.1% belonging
Living on Campus: +4.2% belonging
Enrolling Full-time: +2.5% belonging
Continuing Gen: +2.0% belonging
Women: +2.0% belonging
Transfering: +1.0% belonging
Source: NSSE 2020, n=185,000+ students and 580
bachelor’s degree-granting institutions. Tableau Dashboard
How Libraries Can Help Students Get the Most Out of College

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Mental health challenges
The National College Health Assessment highlights mental health and wellness
challenges facing students, including prevalent anxiety and depression.
Source: National College Health
Assessment Spring 2022 (n = ~53,00)
Only 43.5% of students agree or
strongly agree that “I feel that
students’ health and well-being is a
priority at my college/university”
Only 45.9% of students agree or
strongly agree that “At my
college/university, we are a campus
where we look out for each other.”

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Lack of service awareness and access
Providing services is not enough. Students’ awareness of and/or comfort using
them may be limited. First Gens tend to use health, advising, and support less.
Source: NASPA Center for First Gen
Success, Fact Sheets
FIRST
GEN
STUDENTS
CONTINUING
GEN

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Shifting pedagogy and modality
ALL ONLINE
SOME ONLINE
NONE ONLINE
ALL ONLINE
SOME ONLINE
NONE ONLINE
Sources: Phil Hill Analysis of IPEDS
Distance Learning Data (2021)
Where and how students are learning is shifting toward more online and hybrid
modalities and more active learning pedagogies.

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Inequities by race and income
Student success outcomes such as first year retention and graduation rates vary
significantly by race and income nationally, with some institutions closing gaps.
Retained at
Institution
Continued
Elsewhere
Source: National Student
Clearinghouse Research Center

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How Libraries Can Help Students
Get the Most Out of College

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Research user needs Smith College

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Rebalance stacks and study space Temple University
Architects: Snøhetta and Stantec
Photography: Michael Grimm

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Support and showcase creativity Barnard College
Architect: SOM

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Co-locate and collaborate with partners
HEADQUARTERS SATELLITE VISITING SUPPORTING
Full-service, based in
the Commons
Selected services, based
elsewhere, full-time
Selected services, based
elsewhere, part-time
Behind the scenes support to
operate the Commons
Student Tech Support Learning Innovation Student Tech Support Systems
Access Services Tutoring Distinctive Collections Facilities
Digital Media Lab Digital Strategies Subject Specialty Libraries Communications
GIS Services Learning & Research Services Web & App Development
Math Lab
Writing Center
University of Miami

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Make services visible and accessible NC State University
Architects: Snøhetta and Clark Nexsen

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Blend study and support
Traditional Model
Blended Model
STUDY
SUPPORT
STUDY
SUPPORT
University of Virginia
Architects: Nalls Architecture

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Catalyze active learning Arizona State University
Architects: Ayers Saint Gross

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Build community and belonging Georgia Tech
Architects: BNIM and Praxis3

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Reorganize staff and services Miami University

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Further Reading Article Link

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THANK YOU!
Elliot Felix
elliot@brightspotstrategy.com
elliotfelix.com/book
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