The Interdepartmental Biology Library services and ideas for improvement: a library users survey

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_{TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION} BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION

The Interdepartmental Library services

and ideas for improvement

Library Users Survey

January-February 2010

Susanna Del Carlo

The sample



_{32 Students}

(first/second level degree courses)



_{7 PhD students}

Methods

 _{26 students individual interviews}

analysis and data processing (Excel)

 _{3 focus groups (3 external observers):}

_{E.S. Association students} _{PhD Students}

_{Academic Staff}

Tools

Students were asked about:

_{Their level of satisfaction (opening hours, space,}

studying environment)

 _{Frequency of visits}  _{Type of use}

 _{Preferences regarding library organization (rules,}

space, etc.)

 _{Suggestions for improvements}

 _{Requirements and preferences for new equipment}

and services

 _{Awareness of library services}

 _{Their perception of the library in order of}

Focus groups

 _{PhD students: more emphasis was placed on}

aspects such as digital library use

 _{Academic Staff: more emphasis was placed}

on aspects such as potential requirements for learning and teaching resources

 _{Students: more emphasis on place and}

Findings

 _{The library was perceived as a key service}

(score: 8 out of 10)

 _{Use of the library : daily}  _{Main use:}

1. Study area

2. Textbooks loans

Finding

Students

 _{Suggestions for improvements in order of}

priority:

1. More seating and space 2. Evening opening

3. Weekend and holiday opening

4. More desk PCs-faster connection 5. More and wider range of textbooks 6. Faster wi-fi connection

Findings

Requirements:

_Photocopier

_{Sockets for portable PC} _Printers

Findings Students

 _{Study space required:}

individual – silent

for groups !! (strongly requested)

 _{Awareness of research services:}

- None (23 out of 26)

- Frequent use: Google/Google Scholar

Findings

 _{Information requirements:}

 _{first/second level degree students:}

Databases, e-journal

, OPAC catalogue

 _{They would prefer to be trained through:}  _{Online Tutorials (16 out of 26)}

Findings

 _{The library play a key role for their research}  _{They use mainly the digital library}

Opac

Google/GoogleScholar Science Direct

Web of Science /PubMed

 _{When they come to the library in person they use:}

DD*, books and print journals, requests for library acquisitions

Findings

Focus Group PhD students



_{Knowledge of tools for bibliographic}

research

- LOW: often discovered by chance

- NEED for a welcome e-mail message introducing the library:

 _{PDF file containing information about}

Findings

They ask for:

 _{More digitalization/access to individual}

archives

 _E-books

 _{User friendly access to catalogue}

 _{E-journals viewing figures on library}

Findings

_{Suggestions for improvements} _{Renewed university website}

_{More copies of books considered important}

 Proposals

_{Acquisition of E-books collections} _{E-only journals}

_{Possibility to request DD directly from}

How would PhD students like to see the library?

_{Less emphasis on routine}

burocracy

_{More information and promotion} _{Meeting place for scientific events}  _{One single point of service}

Findings

 _{Library: key role for research activities}  _{Main use: digital library}

Google/GoogleScholar

Web of Science/ PubMed e-journals already known

When they come to the library in person they use: DD*, books and print journals, requests for library

acquisitions

Findings

_{Suggestions for improvements}



_{E-journals packages}

_E-books



_{More copies of textbooks , updated}



_{Meeting place for scientific events and}

Findings

Knowledge of tools for bibliographic research:

LOW / NEED of information guidance

 _{Tutorials online}

 _{User friendly portal for sharing tools and}

resources

Findings

_Proposals

 _{Move to e-only and increasing digital library}  _{Open Access Archives for academic stuff}

publications

 _{Shared database for teaching materials}

(slides, images, CDs )

 _{New regulations for loans}

How would academic staf like to see the library?



_{More effective digital environment}

_{Physical space:}



_{Place for sharing and discussing ideas and}

topics



_{Place for staff and visitors for books}

Thank you for your kind

attention