Unveiling the Role of University Libraries: Analysing Service Diversity and its Impact on Undergraduate Research
Libri, cilt.76, sa.3, ss.213-225, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 76 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1515/libri-2025-0188
- Dergi Adı: Libri
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Index Islamicus, Library Literature and Information Science, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Directory of Open Access Journals, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), MLA International Bibliography, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.213-225
- Anahtar Kelimeler: information literacy, service range, student engagement, undergraduate research, university libraries
- Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study investigates the range and scope of university library services and their impact on undergraduate students’ research processes, using Türkiye as a case context. Drawing on document analysis of 208 university library websites and survey responses from 463 undergraduate students across seven institutions, the research explores how institutional characteristics such as QS and URAP rankings, research university status, and institutional age relate to service provision. The findings reveal strong associations between institutional prestige indicators and the breadth of library services, particularly in spatial and access dimensions. However, services designed to guide students in effectively using resources – such as information literacy training – were not significantly predicted by these variables. Younger universities tended to perform better in access-related services, while research universities showed stronger performance in spatial services. Despite widespread underutilization of library offerings by undergraduates, the study emphasizes the critical role of libraries in fostering research competencies and offers recommendations to enhance institutional integration, improve staff – student engagement, and align library practices with evolving educational expectations.