Post on 21-Oct-2014
description
Undergraduate Use and Expectations of the Libraries at
CU-Boulder
•28,942 on-campus degree-seeking students, 85% undergraduates
• Libraries system includes Norlin Library and 5 branches: Business, Engineering, Earth Sciences/Maps, Math/Physics, and Music
• Library system divided into 3 divisions, Administrative Services, Public Services, and Technical Services• Around 20 Librarians gave 890 instruction sessions to 14,624 students
Outreach and Assessment
• Inform
• Measure
Assessment Committee:
To foster a culture of evidence-based practice, the Libraries Assessment Committee will promote and initiate ways by which measurement and evaluation can be integrated into existing library management practices.
2006 Strategic Plan: Client-Centered Focus
Goal 2: Improve the experiences of clients by fostering a culture of continual, assessment-based action and by actively promoting our services.
Objective 1: Identify and evaluate new services that support clients’ changing information needs.
Objective 2: Implement continual assessment of client needs, and modify services to respond to those needs.
– Activities: Develop a system-wide assessment plan.– Assess website usage.
Objective 3: Expand the Libraries’ promotional program for services and collections.
– Activities: Create a new marketing plan for new and emerging services.
Surveys: The Plan
• Survey Monkey
-MySpace
-CU Libraries News & Events Web Page
-YourHub• Orientation Survey
Orientation Survey Questions
1) When you’ve needed to do research for a homework assignment, where do
you typically begin?
2) Have you used your high school or public library for research?
3)What would be the best way for the Libraries to tell you about our events, products, and services that can help
you succeed at CU?
• 68% of students use Google to begin their search for information for a homework assignment. Only 11% of students start their search at the library.
• More than 91% of students used their high school or public library for research.
• 20% of students completing the survey said Facebook and Buff Bulletins were the best way to reach them about events, products and services the library offers.
Orientation Survey Results
Survey Monkey Questions
1. When you need to do research for a class, where do you turn? Select all that apply.
2. When you need to research fun/personal interests, where do you turn?
3. If applicable, where else do you conduct research? 4. How do you use the library? Select all that apply.5. How would you like to learn about library services and
events? Select all that apply. 6. What is the best thing about the library?
Text field for comments. 7. What would you like to see the library try or improve?
Text field for comments.
Survey Monkey ResultsResearch Sites:
• The Internet, Electronic Databases, Library, Personal Library, “My Memory”
Library Use:
• Research (81.8%), Study (72.7%), Tech Access (54.6%)
In the Know:
• Buff Bulletins (70%), CU Connect (60%), Personal E-Mail (60%)
Library Bests:
• Atmosphere, Collections, Staff
Improvements:
• More Talking, Less Talking, More Staff, Longer Hours, Turn off the Lights
Data Analysis
• LibQUAL 2002 & 2004• Information Technology Strategic Plan 2006• Colorado Academic Library Statistics 2002 & 2004• Brief Report of Student Survey of Educational
Technology Use UCB 2005
Library Technology
Enrollment vs. Computer Expenditures
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
'02-'03 '03-'04 '04-'05
Students
ComputerExpenditure
Library Technology
Library Technology
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly Never
Library Resources on Premises
Library Resources Through Web Page
Yahoo, Google, Non-Library Gateways
Library As Place
First Focus Group“Enthusiastic Analogs”
Second Focus GroupNot enough “consensus” to postulate a segment, but
some notable points made:
Library Observation
First hand observation of Norlin did not yield
much information due to the study being in summer semester.
• Library was very quiet• Little sense of “Library as place”• No student / staff interaction• Definitely being used a place of study – little information
finding
Library Observation
Two Thirds of students observed were using computers – either personal laptop or desktop computer lab
Library Scanning
• Confusing signage • Bulletin Boards containing flyers hidden or hard to
notice• Tables, chairs, study areas dirty and old; very
uncomfortable• Many small repairs needed, worn carpet, broken steps,
paint chipped, lights out, etc• Lighting is poor in many areas, however some areas
(such as science library) well lit and had natural light
Recommendations
A more dynamic marketing style
Consistent testing for web usability and re-design
Work on staff approachability and openness (treat the undergrads and key library stakeholders)
Improve Norlin comfort level
Give students more of a voice in student affairs (Student Advisory Board)
Increase collaboration and communication between departments