Library Survey Overview

In October, 2003, the library conducted a survey to assess students’ experiences with the library.  1,000 surveys were distributed on all campuses.  Surveys were primarily distributed in the Learning Resource Centers but some surveys were also distributed outside student areas during day or evening breaks.  Overall return for the survey was 36.3 % with roughly half of the responses coming from the Lee Campus and one quarter from each of the other campuses, Charlotte and Collier.  

61% of the students responding were full-time and 37% were part-time.  62% were working toward an Associate in Arts degree, and 35% were working toward an Associate in Science degree or taking just taking a course or two.  88% are taught primarily in a classroom, but 23% said most of their classes were through Distance Learning or Internet-based WebCT.

Students were asked when and where they used library resources, including electronic access, and for what purposes.  Results were as follows.

Studying and homework				69%
Research a topic independently			55%
Casual computer use				52%
Relax							31%
Looking for and borrowing books			30%
Photocopying					29%
Help with assigned research			25%
Interlibrary Loan 					25%
Reading magazines or journals			20%
Taking a research instruction class		16%
Do not use						  7%

Students were also asked how they would rate reference desk help, library staff, and whether they usually find information or materials they are looking for.  The results may be summarized as follows.

Usually find what they want			85%				 
Bibliographic Instruction useful			61%
Reference service excellent			47%
Reference service above average			29%
Reference service average				16%
Library staff friendly					77%
Library staff effective				56%
Library staff approachable				46%
Did not use LR services off campus		42%

When asked about spending priorities for the library, students responded as follows.  

More databases					60%
More books						51%
More computer work stations			49%
Laptop and Wireless connectivity (combined)	44%
Increased physical comfort				32%
More staff and longer hours			27%

A similar survey of faculty was also conducted at the same time.  Out of 400 surveys, 94 were completed, for a rate of return of 13.5 %.  61% were part-time and 39% were part-time.  80% of respondents were from Arts and Sciences, and 20% from Workforce Programs.  53% were from the Lee campus, 29% from Charlotte, and 18% from Collier.  99% taught in classrooms on campus, but 13% also responded that they were involved with distance learning, 10% with blended learning, 7% with WebCT and 7% with compressed video.  Faculty uses (for course work, professional development and personal use) were as follows.

Independent research				51%
Video Collection (course work)			48%
Borrowing books					44%
Course Reserve Materials				38%
Interlibrary Loan					37%
Reading newspapers and journals		34%
One-on-One Instruction from Library Staff	32%
Use library databases off campus			28%
Look up books on LINCC Web			24%
Help with professional research			21%
Do not use library databases off campus		46%
Use library databases off campus			24%
Do not use the library				18%
Using computers casually				17%

Faculty were also asked how they would rate Reference Desk help and library staff. The results were as follows. 

Reference Service excellent			74%
Reference Service above average		24%
Reference Service average			11%
Do not use Reference				13%
Learning Resources staff friendly			80%
Learning Resources staff effective		63%
Learning Resources staff approachable		57%

When asked about priorities for library spending the top results were as follows.  

More books						57%
More media						37%
More databases					34%
More computer work stations			35%
Media review rooms					30%
Laptop or wireless Internet (combined)		39%
More in-person reference assistance		23%
More staff, longer hours				22%
More electronic reference sources		20%

It was clear from the survey that students and faculty wanted more computer workstations with wireless connection, a greater variety of databases, and more audiovisual materials.  Since then, the LRC has done the following.

•	More than doubled the number of student computer workstations

•	Added at least eight new databases including electronic reference sources

•	Added __________ DVDs to the collection

•	Added __________ monographs to the collection

•	Added more sections to LIS 1004.  Enrollment has grown from one student in 2003 to 45 students in 2004 and 52 students in 2005.

•	Increased the number of in-class bibliographic instructions from 120 in 2003 to 144 in 2004.  Students instructed increased from 2,314 in 2003 to 3,021 in 2004.  Statistics are not complete for 2005 as classes are still in session. 

•	Wireless access is scheduled for Fall Semester of 2005

Complete results of the survey as well copies of the survey instruments may be found in Appendix __________.