Academic library contributions to internationalization: a systematic review

Abstract

The University internationalization processes are an adaptive response to a global context marked by globalization, which involves roughly greater political, economic and social interaction among countries and regions. In this context, it is valid to ask what is the role and contributions of the academic library in the internationalization of the campus, considering that historically, its main purpose has been to support the university in the development of its functions. To find answers, a systematic review and a bibliometric analysis of the literature published in Information Science between 2005 and 2015 were performed. A continued growth in published research, led by librarians from the United States, China and Canada, was found. They address different aspects of library work that support both transnational education and internationalization 'at home': supporting study-abroad students and programs, information literacy, collection development, studies on the influence of cultural and linguistic differences in communication and services, among others. Recommendations for library practice related to management strategies, services, infrastructure, training and research, were identified.