MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, December 7, 2017 – Academic libraries are struggling to meet a rising demand for non-English language content, according to new survey results published by ProQuest. Rising international student enrollments and the popularity of programs that use foreign language content are increasing the importance of foreign language materials in library collections, yet more than a third of respondents say they are falling short in making these resources available to students, faculty and researchers.
ProQuest surveyed more than 177 academic librarians in North America to assess trends in non-English language collection development. Among the survey’s findings:
“This research confirms the need for solutions that enable libraries to more effectively source comprehensive non-English language content, particularly in Chinese, Arabic and Spanish languages,” said Kevin Sayar, Senior Vice President and General Manager, ProQuest Books. “Just as important is the way the content is accessed: students and researchers need platforms that can be easily navigated and deliver information in useful ways. Without these key elements, learning and research success is at risk.”
Find complete results and analysis of the survey in ProQuest’s whitepaper “Librarians Struggle to Provide Quality Non-English Content.”
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