Spring Break
LibQUAL survey aims to improve library experience
Joshua Aromin
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
03/10/09 -Until March 31, the University of Rhode Island's University Library is running its second LibQUAL online survey to get input from students, faculty and the general public in an effort to make improvements and changes.
LibQUAL, which is short for library quality, is offered through the Association of Research Libraries, a nonprofit group of 123 research libraries. According to the LibQUAL Web site, more than 1,000 libraries have used the program to gain user feedback.
The survey, which is conducted every three years, helps library administrators learn about students' concerns on available space and content, survey coordinator Peter Larsen said.
"I would like to have a larger number of responses than we had last time, especially since the student body has grown somewhat since then," Larsen said.
Sophomores Jeanna Perrotta and Chris Swanick both said that they enjoy the library as a place to do homework and study, but were unaware of the LibQUAL survey and think that changes are unnecessary.
Freshman Paul Tarasevich also didn't see a need for changes at the library. "There's nothing that I need [at the library]. I have my computer with me all the time. I have a printer at home. I don't really need to look at any of the books there," he said. "I feel like [money] could be put somewhere else because it's already big enough and there are enough places for people to study, and I feel it doesn't need any more books."
While the library has made improvements by increasing its amount of electrical outlets, adding newer chairs to the 24-hour room and changing out old light panels, Larsen's committee is intent on seeing the survey results.
"Improvement is an ongoing process and what you really hope for is that something you were doing anyway is something that people want," Larsen said. "I have a pretty good idea of things that the survey may say because we already know some issues."
Though the survey is based on pre-made questions with answers being rated from one to 10, a box for comments at the end has been a vital tool for the library to cater toward the specific needs of its users. The demographic questions are geared toward finding what kinds of people use the library.
"A chemistry student has somewhat different needs than a faculty member in philosophy," Larsen said. "And getting a proportional representation of those groups helps us figure out how best to allocate our resources."
The LibQUAL survey also allows the library to see the unified survey results of other libraries to gauge where it stands among others.
The library hopes to encourage more student participation by sending e-mails, handing out bookmarks, setting up posters and by offering a variety of prizes including an iPod.
LibQUAL, which is short for library quality, is offered through the Association of Research Libraries, a nonprofit group of 123 research libraries. According to the LibQUAL Web site, more than 1,000 libraries have used the program to gain user feedback.
The survey, which is conducted every three years, helps library administrators learn about students' concerns on available space and content, survey coordinator Peter Larsen said.
"I would like to have a larger number of responses than we had last time, especially since the student body has grown somewhat since then," Larsen said.
Sophomores Jeanna Perrotta and Chris Swanick both said that they enjoy the library as a place to do homework and study, but were unaware of the LibQUAL survey and think that changes are unnecessary.
Freshman Paul Tarasevich also didn't see a need for changes at the library. "There's nothing that I need [at the library]. I have my computer with me all the time. I have a printer at home. I don't really need to look at any of the books there," he said. "I feel like [money] could be put somewhere else because it's already big enough and there are enough places for people to study, and I feel it doesn't need any more books."
While the library has made improvements by increasing its amount of electrical outlets, adding newer chairs to the 24-hour room and changing out old light panels, Larsen's committee is intent on seeing the survey results.
"Improvement is an ongoing process and what you really hope for is that something you were doing anyway is something that people want," Larsen said. "I have a pretty good idea of things that the survey may say because we already know some issues."
Though the survey is based on pre-made questions with answers being rated from one to 10, a box for comments at the end has been a vital tool for the library to cater toward the specific needs of its users. The demographic questions are geared toward finding what kinds of people use the library.
"A chemistry student has somewhat different needs than a faculty member in philosophy," Larsen said. "And getting a proportional representation of those groups helps us figure out how best to allocate our resources."
The LibQUAL survey also allows the library to see the unified survey results of other libraries to gauge where it stands among others.
The library hopes to encourage more student participation by sending e-mails, handing out bookmarks, setting up posters and by offering a variety of prizes including an iPod.
