UiA Bibliotek Blog

Library access and student success

How often do you use the library? Do you read for interest, or mainly to prepare for exams? Several studies show a clear link between library use and academic success. Students who engage with physical and digital resources tend to achieve higher grades, stay enrolled, and maintain stronger academic standing.

Cox and Jantti’s study (2012) analysed library system logs and found a consistent pattern: students who used library resources outperformed those who didn’t. Çetin and Howard’s research (2016) showed the same trend for physical borrowing. Their work identified a noticeable positive correlation between the number of books borrowed and undergraduate academic achievement. The takeaway is straightforward—students who actively use library materials tend to do better.

These findings match what many universities observe in practice: when students build regular library use into their study habits—whether it’s accessing journal articles, borrowing books, attending workshops, or using the study spaces—they create stronger foundations for learning. Library engagement doesn’t replace hard work, but it strengthens it by giving you better sources, better structure, and better ways to deepen your understanding.

If you’re curious about the research, you can explore studies such as When the library closes: Assessing the academic impact on engagement, citation practices, and performance in first-year students on ScienceDirect.

Our library is always open to you—on campus and online. Whether you need resources, guidance, or simply a good place to work, we’re here to support your studies.