ODU Libraries Launch Service Survey for Faculty, Student Users

September 16, 2015

Faculty and staff of the Old Dominion University Libraries want to hear how they are doing.

As part of the Libraries' five-year plan, a survey will be offered to faculty, staff and students to better understand how the library and its services are perceived on campus.

"This survey will give us very valuable data on where we can improve in serving our primary clients, the campus community," said George Fowler, University librarian. "The survey will also provide a starting point to measure improvements in our services going forward, and to gauge the impact of coming changes to the libraries."

The nationally recognized survey, developed by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) will be conducted from Sept. 21 to Oct. 13. The 10- to 20-minute survey measures user expectations of the libraries and the actual level of service they have received in three broad categories.

The survey also will also be used to assess user expectations and perceptions of the Old Dominion University Libraries' physical spaces, and will provide the ability to compare data to other institutions, to make changes necessary to provide comparable services to peer institutions.

Participants can follow a link to the Survey. All submissions will be anonymous, and participants can enter to win one of 50 prizes.

After the data have been compiled from the survey, a library summit will reveal the results and invite public feedback.

"As the University Libraries move forward with our future plan, the input of those we are here to serve is incredibly important," Fowler said.

For more information about the survey, contact Fowler at gfowler@odu.edu or survey task force leader Megan Smith at m4smith@odu.edu.