Abstract

Summary Research in an unfamiliar library can be intimidating for international students, particularly while they are struggling to overcome language barriers. The Helping Hands Project translated a two-page handout into fourteen different languages to acquaint non-native English speakers with library services in a language they understand. It was a collaborative project between the Oregon State University (OSU) Libraries and the International Cultural Services Program (ICSP). The expected outcome of this project was to lessen language barriers for international students during their initial library visits, and hopefully, to help retain them in the institution. The average enrollment of foreign students at OSU per term, from Fall 2001 to Spring 2002, was 1,162. Usage counts showed that the translated library guides were estimated to serve a population of 819 students from all 14 countries, which was 70% of the total foreign student enrollment at OSU. The total handout distribution count was 306, which was 37% of the targeted population.