Students who are non-users of their academic library: A scoping review

• Published in: The Journal of academic librarianship Vol. 47; no. 5; p. 102423
• Main Authors: Brunskill, Amelia, Hanneke, Rosie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ann Arbor Elsevier Inc 01.09.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Bibliographic Databases; College students; Librarians; Library management; Non-users; Qualitative Research; Scoping reviews; Students; Teaching methods; User studies; Non-users; Students; Academic libraries; User studies; Scoping reviews
• ISSN: 0099-1333; 1879-1999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102423

Studies of university students who are non-users of their academic libraries could provide valuable insights to libraries, yet the extent of the research on this topic remains largely unexplored. This scoping review provides a comprehensive and systematic examination of the research literature in this area, exploring how authors have defined, researched, and addressed the phenomenon of non-users. A search for relevant studies was conducted using bibliographic databases, grey literature searching, and citation tracing. From 1864 records, 69 publications were identified for inclusion. Analysis of the included publications revealed a wide array of definitions for non-users and reasons for non-use. An overwhelming majority of studies (88%) included a survey or questionnaire, most described only a single mode of recruitment, and there was a surprising dearth of information gathered about the non-users themselves. There is currently still much to be learned about students who do not use their academic library and their reasons for non-use. Further qualitative research focused on the needs and motivations of non-users could allow for more nuanced segmentation within this group, and inform libraries' outreach and development efforts. •Non-user is a label without a consistently applied definition.•The majority of studies on non-users relied on a single mode of recruitment.•The majority of studies exhibited high reliance on surveys.•Studies typically provided very limited or no data about the non-users themselves.•In-depth, qualitative research is needed for better understanding of non-users.