Academic literacies of international higher degree students in library environments

This study finds that international participants are eager to learn new literacy skills that would help them to succeed in academia. The responses from library staff participants in this study reveal that they appear to be aware of the needs of international students and are determined to accommodate them in many ways. The findings of this research study have implications for academic library staff supporting international higher degree students to improve their academic literacy. This in turn may inform the development of timely interventions by university planners, library and information professionals, educators, student associations and any other groups interested in facilitating the holistic adjustment of international students to their academic lives in host countries. Awareness of possible differences between international and domestic students may assist academic library providers to design specific services so that international higher degree students can meaningfully retrieve and use authentic information for their academic success.