UNDERSTANDING THE INTEGRATIVE ROLE OF AN ACADEMIC LIBRARY FOR UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY STUDENT WORKERS. This study explored how undergraduate library student workers at an urban, 4-year public institution perceived their work experiences in an academic library as contributing to their social and academic integration in college. Tinto’s (1993) model on student departure formed the basis for this study where academic and social integration work together to influence institutional commitments ultimately leading to the decision to remain or leave the college. Undergraduate library student workers from various library departments were interviewed and it is from these interviews that a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of an academic library’s effect on undergraduate library student workers was gained. The study revealed that the undergraduate library student workers perceived experiencing many socially integrative and academically integrative experiences which they would not have had were they not employed in an academic library. After the data are discussed, the theoretical implications, policy implications, and suggestions for further research are offered.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE INTEGRATIVE ROLE OF AN ACADEMIC LIBRARY ON UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY STUDENT WORKERS Wil Weston

8. Tinto’s Model