Library Notes

The results of the 2005 LibQUAL+ survey on users’ perception of Galter Library quality are in. This year is the fourth time the library has used this survey to assess current issues in the quality of its services, collections and staff. Overall, the library received positive marks; however some new issues are revealed while some old ones have re-surfaced.

Just over 270 users completed the 2005 LibQUAL+ survey. Survey participants are roughly divided equally among faculty, staff and students: 91 faculty, 83 students and 84 staff. The two main problem areas identified in the 2005 survey are:

“Making electronic resources accessible from home or office”. Here, all users gave the library a mean minimum score of 7.28, a desired mean score of 8.55 and a perceived score of 7.18. This creates a negative adequacy score* of -0.18.
“Print and/or electronic journal collections I require for my work”. This topic produced a mean minimum score of 7.44, a desired mean score of 8.56 and a perceived score of 7.11 which results in a negative adequacy score* of -0.33.

*negative adequacy score means that users' perceptions of library quality are less then their minimum expectations

In reviewing the survey results by each user group, both faculty and staff reported the same problem areas mentioned above. Staff reported no additional problem areas for library quality. Faculty, however, indicated another negative mark for a variation on the collection topic: “The electronic information resources I need”. The score for this question was -0.26.

The students’ scores repeated the same concern about journal collections as faculty and staff. In addition to the topic about collections, students gave the library low scores for library as place. The question, “Library space that inspires study and learning”, was marked at -0.02, and “Quiet space for individual activities” received a -0.15 score. Faculty, on the other hand, reports just the opposite assessment when it comes to their perception of library as place. In four out of the five questions related to library space, the faculty gave the library superiority scores, meaning their perception exceeds their desired measure for quality. This same pattern has been consistent in the past three versions of the LibQUAL+ survey.

What are the plans for these survey results? Galter staff has held one meeting already to review the comments portion of the 2005 survey. Responses to these comments will be published as a separate article this fall. Also, staff plan on combining these survey results with the library’s Program Review reports. Together, staff will use this feedback as the basis for their discussions to form an updated strategic plan.

In the meantime, one response we can give now is to urge all users to report their suggestions for improving the collections. Galter staff need to hear about specific titles that are needed for work, whether it be in a research area, for teaching or for student learning. The library currently provides access to over 4,000 electronic journals. Many of these titles have been purchased as whole collections from publishers. Since we are already receiving all the titles that certain health sciences publishers are producing, staff need guidance from users as to which titles are missing from the collection. Fill out our Request for Purchase form and let us know what you need.

Comments about the 2005 LibQUAL+ survey results can be directed to James Shedlock at 503-8133 or j-shedlock@northwestern.edu.

A newsletter for patrons of the Galter Health Sciences Library

Summer 2005 New Series #37

LibQUAL+ 2005: The Results are in

James Shedlock, AMLS, AHIP, Director, j-shedlock@northwestern.edu

Summer 2005

New Series #37