The Role of Public Libraries in Facilitating College Literacy: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe decision‐making process for potential college students in the United States is overwhelming because of the volume of information available and the complexity of higher education systems. Prospective students must consider institutional rankings, academic programs, and financial aid opportunities in addition to completing the numerous forms. For some students, there exist personal and professional resources to assist with navigating the process. Others with less social and cultural capital must figure out the system with little or no assistance while facing other barriers. Public libraries can be a resource for the college‐bound community; however, research shows that public libraries are not actively engaged in supporting this user group. To provide focused, quality information services to any demographic, it is important to understand the perspectives of frontline information workers. Thus, through an online survey, this study seeks to learn staff perspectives on the role of public libraries in serving prospective college students.