2012 Charleston Conference

Understanding academic patrons’ approaches and preferences to accessing and assessing research content, as well as the factors influencing these decisions, is essential to determining a long range strategy for maintaining a viable service model for the academic library. Library Journal’s 2012 Academic Patron Profiles survey takes an in-depth look at how today’s undergraduates, researchers, and faculty at research institutions, colleges, and community colleges, experience the academic library, based on their actual usage and the perceived value of services provided, and with special emphasis on digital technologies and resources. Panelists Lisa Carlucci Thomas (Design Think Do) and Sue Polanka (Wright State University) present highlights and insights from the survey, share information regarding the habits and preferences of academic library patrons, and discuss the findings in the context of current trends and future directions.