Supporting Transfer Student Success - by Peggy Nuhn & Karen Kaufmann (Paperback)

About the Book

This research-based book with practical applications teaches academic librarians to support their transfer students effectively at both universities and community colleges, even when transfer students' information literacy needs differ from those of other students.
Colleges and universities across the United States serve a large and growing population of transfer students. Current estimates suggest that more than one third of college students transfer from one institution of higher education to another at least once. At some institutions, transfer students compose up to fifty to sixty percent of the new incoming class. Academic librarians' understanding of the demographics and potential needs of transfer students is essential to supporting their success and mitigating "transfer shock."

Just as public libraries often bridge gaps between individuals and services, academic libraries can proactively support the often unique needs of transfer students by spearheading textbook affordability initiatives, developing innovative programming, and making appropriate referrals to non-library student services. In this practical guide to supporting transfer students, authors Peggy L. Nuhn and Karen F. Kaufmann teach academic librarians how to optimize information literacy instruction, support research, help reduce stress, and connect the library to virtual students. They emphasize the importance of establishing partnerships with feeder institutions and other campus departments to best support transfer student success.

• Teaches academic librarians and stakeholders to understand the holistic value of the academic library to transfer student success
• Defines the concept of "transfer shock" and explains how academic librarians and libraries can mitigate this phenomenon
• Outlines key theoretical and practical applications of information spaces, information science, and information literacy as applied to the transfer student academic experience

Book Synopsis

This research-based book with practical applications teaches academic librarians to support their transfer students effectively at both universities and community colleges, even when transfer students' information literacy needs differ from those of other students.

Colleges and universities across the United States serve a large and growing population of transfer students. Current estimates suggest that more than one third of college students transfer from one institution of higher education to another at least once. At some institutions, transfer students compose up to fifty to sixty percent of the new incoming class. Academic librarians' understanding of the demographics and potential needs of transfer students is essential to supporting their success and mitigating "transfer shock."

Just as public libraries often bridge gaps between individuals and services, academic libraries can proactively support the often unique needs of transfer students by spearheading textbook affordability initiatives, developing innovative programming, and making appropriate referrals to non-library student services. In this practical guide to supporting transfer students, authors Peggy L. Nuhn and Karen F. Kaufmann teach academic librarians how to optimize information literacy instruction, support research, help reduce stress, and connect the library to virtual students. They emphasize the importance of establishing partnerships with feeder institutions and other campus departments to best support transfer student success.

Review Quotes

"For those at institutions with clear articulation agreements and/or significant transfer populations. . . this book will be of immense value. Moreover, given the authors' expertise in information literacy and their treatment of this topic within the book, librarians engaged in library instruction, regardless of whether or not they interact with transfer students on a regular basis, will benefit from reading this book. Supporting Transfer Student Success stands out as a must-add title." --Public Services Quarterly

About the Author

Peggy L. Nuhn is a "Connect" faculty librarian at the University of Central Florida's Sanford/Lake Mary campus, a joint campus with Seminole State College of Florida.

Karen F. Kaufmann is a research and instruction faculty librarian at Seminole State College of Florida.