Chinese students in American academic libraries: A survey of Chinese user satisfaction with U.S. library experience

• Examines literature of library service for international students with specific focus upon service for users from China.
• Surveys 83 Chinese students and scholars after they returned from studying at universities in the United States.
• Results are analyzed with the goal of benchmarking and improving services for this growing user population in the U.S.
• Recommends providing Chinese students with online guides about U.S libraries before leaving China.

While scholarship has addressed issues around serving international students in U.S. libraries, until recently, relatively little attention has been directly focused upon the library needs of specific ethnic groups. This study surveys 83 Chinese students and scholars after they returned from studying at universities in the United States to measure and document their satisfaction with the academic library services and resources they used during their study abroad. Results of the survey are analyzed with the goal of benchmarking and improving services for this growing academic library user population in the United States.