Academic Librarians and Graduate Students: An Exploratory Study

Graduate students are a significant part of a university's research population who may begin their studies without all of the skills they need to be successful. The authors conducted a convenience survey, sent to five library e-mail lists, to explore if librarians interact with graduate students and what methods they use to do so. Results show that a majority of respondents meet with graduate students in classes and workshops as well as through direct contact, though the quality of these interactions is unclear. The authors recommend areas of opportunity and discuss ways academic libraries can better serve graduate students.