Supporting Neurodiverse Students in Academic Libraries

A Review of: Anderson, A. (2018). Autism and the academic library: A study of online communication. College & Research Libraries, 79(5), 645-658. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.79.5.645 Abstract Objective – To investigate how people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) discuss their experiences in academic libraries in an online community of their peers. Design – Qualitative content analysis. Setting – Online discussion forum. Subjects – An unknown number of registered members of Wrong Planet (wrongplanet.net), who self-identify as having ASD and have posted about academic libraries on the public discussion board since 2004. Methods – Potentially relevant Wrong Planet public discussion board threads posted between 2004 and an undisclosed collection date were retrieved using an advanced Google search with the search strategy “library; librarian; lib; AND college; university; uni; campus” (p. 648). Each thread (total 170) was read in its entirety to determine its relevance to the study, and a total of 98 discussion threads were ultimately included in the analysis. Data were coded inductively and deductively, guided by the research questions and a conceptual framework which views ASD as being (at least partially) socially constructed. Coding was checked for consistency by another researcher. Main results – Wrong Planet members expressed a variety of views regarding the academic library’s physical environment, its resources, and the benefits and challenges of interacting socially within it. Many members discussed using the library as a place to escape noise, distraction, and social interaction, while other members expressed the opposite, finding the library, its resources, and its patrons to be noisy, distracting, and even chaotic. Social interaction in the library was seen both positively and negatively, with members appearing to need clearly defined rules regarding collaboration, noise, and behaviour in the library. Conclusion – While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting students with ASD in academic libraries, the findings suggest it may be beneficial to provide sensory-friendly environments, designate defined spaces for quiet study and for collaboration, clearly state rules regarding noise and behaviour, and provide informal opportunities to socialize. The author also suggests libraries raise awareness of the needs of ASD students among the entire academic community by hosting events and seminars. The author plans to build on these findings by surveying and interviewing relevant stakeholders.

It is clear from the first pages of this book that authors Keyes and Dworak care deeply about students who are also parents, an increasing population found on college campuses. Supporting Student Parents in the Academic Library opens with the authors’ own experiences observing student parents on their campuses and point out their relative invisibility, both in physical spaces, consideration in policies, and in the data collected at higher education institutions.

For higher education institutions in the United Kingdom there is a growing focus on improving student retention, encouraging academic engagement, and easing transition into university life. This article reports on the creation and outcomes of Head Start, a pre-induction online course created to provide students with a level of understanding of academic literacies including information literacy to aid preparation for university study. Information literacy librarians have reported that there has been a marked improvement in the confidence and information literacies of new starters taking the module. The article is of value for others wishing to support students at pre-entry.

Supporting student learning is the name of the game for academic librarians, but what that means in the dynamic arena of higher education is constantly evolving. Barbara Allan’s Emerging Strategies for Supporting Student Learning: A Practical Guide for Librarians and Educators presents a helpful overview of the many facets of the topic, with plenty of real-life examples and case studies, plus theoretical underpinnings and references to the literature for those wanting more depth.

Academic Libraries Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness and Housing and Basic Needs Insecurity