Meeting Minutes May 12, 2003
1 p.m. in L206
| Present: | Absent: | Guest: |
| Mark Vargas | Bob Hansen | RuthAnn Althaus |
| Judy Christie | Graham Peck | |
| John Eber | Carol Poston | |
| Dave Kohut | ||
| Bea Julian | ||
| Anita Morgan | ||
| Pat Philbin |
A G E N D A
- Update on Front Entrance and Haddad Room
- Student Survey Results
- Draft Goals and Objectives
- Other
Update on Front Entrance and Haddad Room
Mark brought everyone up-to-date on the library’s security system and the Haddad Room.
- The reference shelves have been moved, and we are currently waiting for maintenance to secure some of the shelving since many of them are in an unstable condition. Once the shelves are secured, the books will be transferred.
- The painters actually started painting today. It will take approximately two weeks to finish the painting work, etc.
- During the week of June 11th to the 18th the old security system will be removed and the new one installed.
- The tentative date for the dedication of the Haddad Room is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th.
Student Survey Results
Mark passed out the results of the library student survey. There were results for both undergraduate and graduate. The graduate results include the Field-based Masters group.
Mark commented that the answers are perceptual and may not actually be true.
Following are a few of the comments concerning the undergraduate survey:
- Mark said the first red flag he saw was question #1 on the Undergraduate survey. Over 50% of the students responded “almost never” and “never” in regard to “how often does your professor urge you to use materials from the library.” He said this shows that the faculty is not telling students to use our library.
- It was pointed out that 63% replied that they could do a bibliography without assistance.
- 70% are at least satisfied with the library.
- RuthAnn asked if there is any difference between residential students and non-residential students. Mark replied that in the future there would be more information regarding this type of question. He is also interested in differences by gender and by major.
- Most students are happy with staff assistance.
- Question #12 shows that most students do not take out many books (less than 2) over the semester. This is in agreement with the data distributed earlier to the Committee.
Following are some comments concerning the graduate survey:
- RuthAnn thought the results of the graduate survey should be re-run without the Field-based Masters group since they are off-site and seldom visit the library. They would use a library in their area.
- Mark said there is a huge amount of “can’t rate” answers. He feels these are the people we aren’t reaching.
- RuthAnn feels that because 50% are those that are at remote sites this distorts the answers.
- Bea replied that downstate remote students are urged to use their local library.
- Mark suggested that everyone go over the results. Maybe we should have asked “How well do you know how to use A library?”
- Mark said that one of the things we are looking into is mailing materials directly to a student’s home.
- RuthAnn said the University of Illinois does this. She said the University pays the postage for the book to go out, but the students pays the postage for it to come back to the school.
- Mark reported that if a student uses Interlibrary Loan, the books comes here to our library and the student must come here to pick it up. The average cost of an Interlibrary Loan transaction is $20.00.
- John Eber feels that books are not the issue. Students can get them locally. The big issue is instruction. The distant-learning students do not know how to use the databases. They need instruction in this. He feels one solution would be to train the lead instructor at the remote sites.
- RuthAnn mentioned that the lack of use does not necessarily mean need. The remote student may not really need this instruction. They may always go to the local library.
Mark commented that the positives he found from the survey were that the students were satisfied with the library environment, it was a good place to study, and staff assistance.
The things that students liked least about the library were the age of the collection, the size of the collection, the need for more computers, and the hours.
Draft Goals and Objectives
Based on the data collected in the spring semester, Mark will (over the summer) draft a list of general goals for the library, each with a list of assumptions, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
He should have a draft to look at when the Committee meets in the fall.
Other
Mark told the Committee he is hoping to get a different printer at the Reference Desk and one more printer for the general public.
Nelson Hathcock will be a member of the Committee in the fall.
Minutes submitted by: Virginia Preuss
Library Coordinator