Exploring partnerships between public libraries and universities in regional low-socioeconomic communities : the student experience
- Authors: Power, Emma , Partridge, Helen , Owen, Sue , Pizzani, Blanca
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Higher Education Research and Development Vol. 41, no. 7 (2022), p. 2324-2337
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- Description: Students from low-socioeconomic (low-SES) backgrounds living in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities in Australia experience intersecting equity challenges and disadvantages impacting upon their study success. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, this study explored the experience of 42 students living in low-SES RRR communities in Australia. More specifically, the study considers, from the student experience, how public libraries and universities can work in partnership to support study success. Thematic analysis revealed two key themes: ‘student as person’, encompassing RRR low-SES students’ context, lived experience and study needs; and ‘access’, describing key enablers and barriers to students’ access to key study needs and support from the public library in their local areas, and their university. This study shows that collaboration between universities and public libraries through understanding of the needs, context and experience of RRR low-SES students can initiate and inform targeted action to help support these students, increase inclusion and belonging, and facilitate student success. © 2021 HERDSA.
A framework for Australian Universities and public libraries supporting regional, rural and remote students
- Authors: Partridge, Helen , Power, Emma , Ostini, Jenny , Owen, Sue , Pizzani, Blanca
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association Vol. 70, no. 4 (2021), p. 391-404
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- Description: University students living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities of Australia face unique challenges including geographical isolation, lack of access to face-to-face support, and technological barriers. This paper outlines a project funded by the Australian Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program that was undertaken by five universities with significant enrolments of students from low socio-economic backgrounds living in RRR communities. The project established a Framework for Australian Universities and Public Libraries Supporting Regional, Rural and Remote Students that provides a set of strategic recommendations that will guide the development of accessible, relevant and sustainable study and learning support to meet the needs of low socio-economic students living in RRR communities. This national project provided a unique opportunity for Australia’s universities and public libraries to work together in order to ‘future proof’ the education of students from low socio-economic backgrounds living in regional and remote communities. © 2021 Helen Partridge, Emma Power, Jenny Ostini, Sue Owen and Blanca Pizzani.