New thoughts on library outreach to international students

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to three articles from Reference Services Review on the theme of library outreach to international students. It aims to give a summary overview of the current research on international students and library outreach and to introduce and contextualize the three articles.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper frames the three articles and places them in the context of the exhaustive literature on the topic.

Findings

International students are not all alike. Grouping all of these students together under the umbrella term of “international student” contributes little, if at all, to the understanding of their real needs and problems.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that there are still areas for further exploration on the topic of international students and library outreach.

Originality/value

This paper argues with the oversimplified and generalized approach to international students, and suggests that it is not the most useful way to assist individual students.

Citation

Ye, Y. (2009), "New thoughts on library outreach to international students", Reference Services Review, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 7-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320910934940