The Impact of the Academic Library on Student Success: Connecting the Dots

Abstract

In an age of assessment and accountability, academic libraries feel much pressure to prove their value according to new university measurements of student success. This study describes a methodology for how libraries may examine student interactions with services to assess whether library usage impacts student grade point averages (GPAs) and retention rates. Usage data were collected at six library service points during the 2013–2014 academic year. Analysis suggests an association between student use of the library and higher GPAs and retention rates. The findings may help demonstrate the value of the academic library to stakeholders and thus further integrate library services into course curricula.