The United States is experiencing a socio-demographic shift in population and
education. Latinos are the fastest growing segment of the population on the national level
and in higher education. The Latino student population growth rate and Latino college
completion rate are not reciprocal. While Latino students are the fastest growing
demographic group in higher education, they continue to have the lowest persistence and
retention rates. Latino students are more at risk for dropping out of college than any other
ethnic group. Latinos decreasing persistence rates have caused an academic achievement
gap in higher education (Long, 2011). Literature has correlated the gap with Latinos
limited IL competency and low library usage (Long, 2011).