Regression Results
The first regression model uses the library experiences scale (QELIB) as the dependent
variable to answer the question, “Who uses the library most?” (See appendix E.)
After controlling for student and institutional characteristics, students of color use
the library more frequently compared with white students; students majoring in the
humanities and preprofessional fields use the library more often than those majoring
in business, math, or science. Access to computing and information technology
inversely relates to library use and shows a relatively large effect size (.17); that is,
students who do not have a computer where they live or work (or nearby) tend to use
the library more. Perhaps for these students, the library is one place where they can
use a computer that, in turn, allows them to access databases and obtain information
from other libraries. At the institutional level, students at doctoral/research-extensive
universities use the library less frequently compared with students attending the other
four types of institutions.
Academic challenge relates positively to library use. Of the eleven academic challenge
items (table 4), five have effect sizes greater than |.08|. These include three items
related to course learning experiences (put together different facts and ideas, worked
on projects integrating ideas from various sources, and applied class material to other
areas in life) and two student–faculty interaction items (worked harder than you
thought you could to meet faculty expectations and worked harder due to instructor
feedback). In addition, all other items in the scale show statistically significant differences,
although with smaller effect sizes.