The Hokie Nation Speaks: User Assessment of University Library Facilities, Services, and Resources

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2015-02-13
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Abstract

A vast range of resources, services, and facilities are available from University Libraries at Virginia Tech. How do library patrons actually use library resources, services and facilities?  And what else do library users (and non-users) say that they need? This poster presentation highlights findings from a Spring 2014 VT Libraries survey of Virginia Tech Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, and Undergraduates, emphasizing overall and contrasting group-level themes, what’s working, where we can improve, and our progress to date in responding to user needs and in alignment with the Virginia Tech Plan for a New Horizon, and the University Libraries Strategic Plan for 2012-2018.

The Office of Assessment, University Libraries, Virginia Tech, conducted a libraries usage and satisfaction survey in March & April 2014. The purpose of this study was to collect information about the satisfaction of Virginia Tech Library users, based on their interaction with spaces, resources, and services. Survey questions were designed to determine how users are using the library and what changes can be made for future growth in these areas. A survey invitation linked to a 15-item mixed methods survey was sent via email to all Virginia Tech Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students and 25% of undergraduate students identified by Virginia Tech’s Office of Institutional Research as being representative of the total undergraduate population. The survey was open from March 24 to April 7, 2014. 754 unique responses were recorded, a 10% response rate. This poster presents expected and unexpected findings, identifies resources and services with user-reported high and low satisfaction, and identifies critical areas for the Libraries to address.

Description
Presented at the Virginia Tech Assessment Showcase http://www.assessment.vt.edu/Assessment_Showcase.pdf Feb 9-13, 2015.
Keywords
Library, services, evaluation, assessment, 2014, usage survey, University Libraries
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