Author: Hotrod1

Overcoming Service Barriers : Effectively Meeting the Needs of International Law Students

Research Goals
Provide quality experiences
Support quality legal education programs
Student success
Utilize current library resources and skills
Understanding International Students:
Motivated
Educated
Experts in their fields and home countries
Goal-oriented
Questions:
How do we discover the barriers?
What are the reported and perceived needs?
Which services will result?
What skills do we possess to meet the needs?
What resources can we employ?
Methods for Discovery and Understanding
Literature and program reviews
Faculty Survey
Student Survey
Informative dialogue
Challenges in Discovery and Understanding
Few survey responses
Limited required library interaction
Misunderstandings of library services and skills

Barriers
Language & culture, stress & anxiety; students report not using the library because they do not know who to contact nor what is offered
Previous knowledge
American legal research, writing & resources; students report using the library mostly for writing and research; faculty report the need for increased English writing support

Solutions/
Orientation
Handbook
LibGuide
Skills employed:
Instruction
Instructional materials
Web content and management
Materials in Academic Resources Program
1st year coursework
Research instruction
Skills employed:
Space
Collection development
Cataloging
Circulation
Bibliographic instruction
Services
Making Connections:
Students and Advisors
Academic Resources Program
Graduate Studies
Main campus libraries
Others
Academic Resources Program
Database training
KU Writing Center
International Dissertation Writing Fellow
Dissertation formatting & submission
Skills employed:
Campus connections
Research
Instruction
Vendor relations
Supervising
Metadata
Scholarly Communications

Allison Reeve, Librarian, University of Kansas Wheat Law Library

Mutual Benefits:
Career preparation
Preparation for international practice
Increased use of library services
More students in the library
Support for new library services
Fosters quality experience
Supports quality program and attracts more students

Programs of Legal Study:
JD
2-year JD
LLM
SJD

Acknowledgements:
I first thank Wheat Law Library staff, past and present, who provide these services to all students, domestic and international, in a seamless and professional manner and who also support my endeavors: Joyce Pearson, Christopher Steadham, W. Blake Wilson, Pamela Crawford, Jeff Montgomery, Michael Obermeier, and Ashly Basgall, who worked with me to initiate many of these activities. Also, our colleagues in the Academic Resources Program, specifically Betsy Six; International Dissertation Writing Fellow, Chris Keyser; Director of International Programs, Raj Bhala; Registrar, Vicki Palmer; and various campus colleagues. Most importantly I acknowledge all of the international students attending KU School of Law who enrich our programs and my own day-to-day work. This presentation was made financially possible by the University of Kansas School of Law.

For continued discussion please contact me at 785-864-9272; acreeve@ku.edu