Universidad del Bío‐Bío and California State University, San Marcos: A comparative case study of academic libraries

Abstract

Purpose

A comparative case study of two academic libraries in two continents aims to investigate reasons behind similarities and differences between Universidad del Bío‐Bío (UBB) in Concepción, Chile, and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data and interview transcripts are analyzed in the paper to provide insight into characteristics of academic libraries in an international context.

Findings

The paper finds that, while institutional age, student population size, and number of librarians are comparable, the services, usage, and collections at each library are distinct.

Originality/value

There are few international comparative case studies of academic libraries.

Citation

Chu, M. (2007), "Universidad del Bío‐Bío and California State University, San Marcos: A comparative case study of academic libraries", New Library World, Vol. 108 No. 7/8, pp. 370-377. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800710763653