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

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.

Inform

Measure

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.

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 -Facebook -CU Libraries News & Events Web Page -YourHub Orientation Survey

Survey Monkey

-MySpace

-Facebook

-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

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.

Survey Monkey Questions When you need to do research for a class, where do you turn? Select all that apply. When you need to research fun/personal interests, where do you turn? If applicable, where else do you conduct research? How do you use the library? Select all that apply. How would you like to learn about library services and events? Select all that apply. What is the best thing about the library? Text field for comments. What would you like to see the library try or improve? Text field for comments.

When you need to do research for a class, where do you turn? Select all that apply.

When you need to research fun/personal interests, where do you turn?

If applicable, where else do you conduct research?

How do you use the library? Select all that apply.

How would you like to learn about library services and events? Select all that apply.

What is the best thing about the library? Text field for comments.

What would you like to see the library try or improve? Text field for comments.

Survey Monkey Results Research 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

Research 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

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

Library Technology

Library Technology

Library As Place

First Focus Group “ Enthusiastic Analogs”

Second Focus Group Not 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

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

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

A more dynamic marketing style