Library booked to change
New survey makes recommendations for improvement
January 23, 2008
by Melissa Kuenzi
Student studies in library [Photo: Austin Jean]
On November 30, 2007, students from Business 430 presented the findings of a survey project on the Norma Marion Alloway Library to 12 of its staff. Students’ awareness of library services were measured through an online survey and focus groups. Their perceptions of the quality of those services were collected through a live survey of volunteer students in the library. Recommendations for improvement based on the research were also included in the presentation.
The research shows that approximately 86 per cent of the students had a good grasp of how to use the library’s website and could navigate the main stacks of books. A majority understood what the library staff does and how they are able to help.
Awareness of library services was weakest on interlibrary loans and several relatively new services, including the ability to chat with a librarian via an instant messenger on the website. Overall, students perceive the library staff as helpful.
Archivist and reference librarian Sylvia Stopforth said the library is taking the results of the project seriously. She called it a “reality check” that allowed the library to assess how well-founded their assumptions about students were.
She noted the class was instructed to take a “sky’s the limit” approach to the recommendations, which included suggestions to improve the online catalog, increase promotion of library services, extend hours and revise other library rules. Five of the librarians sat down with the recommendations after the presentation to evaluate what was feasible.
Some recommendations closely matched plans already in the works to improve the library. The main level microform room will be turned into a study area with tables for group work. There are also future plans to remove the upper level interior walls to create a more open and user-friendly environment.
Stopforth said it was encouraging to have recommendations affirm plans already under way. While other ideas were not currently possible, she said that with this project, the library has a “baseline” to work from.
Future surveys and research on student satisfaction with the library can use the project as a reference point and a resource of ideas about what students want from their library.
Overall, said Stopforth, “the project was a completely positive experience.”
For more information on upcoming changes, visit the TWU library website.
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