Increasing space for students at the Library
A challenge for academic libraries today is striking a balance between providing quiet spaces for individual study with requests for more group spaces to accommodate noisier, collaborative work. Unfortunately, the two don’t always fit side-by-side in one building and a frequent complaint by students is about noise in the library.
In a continuing effort to address requests for both quiet space and collaborative areas, support has been received from the Student Association to convert a storage area in the Library basement into a Den for casual use. This should allow better enforcement of the upper floors as quiet areas. A grand opening of the Library Den in planned for September.
Customer satisfaction survey
Over 540 UOIT students, faculty and staff participated in a recent Library customer satisfaction survey called LibQual. The survey was previously administered three years ago. A college version of the LibQual survey will be undertaken for Durham students & faculty this fall in collaboration with 16 other Ontario college libraries. LibQual is a web-based survey tool developed by the Association of Research Libraries and over 100 other university libraries participated in it this spring.
The UOIT & Durham College survey results help the Library collect and interpret feedback systematically over time. It also provides the library with comparable assessment information from peer institutions across North America. Preliminary review of the results indicates considerable appreciation of the helpfulness of the library staff and the wealth of digital resources provided.
The number one problem pointed out by respondents was the need for increased study space. Noise reduction and increased hours of service were also serious concerns. This information will be used to add more library seating for Fall 2010 as well as work on ways to enforce quiet study zones. Funding will be requested in the next budget cycle for additional staff to increase hours of service. The Library has gradually increased hours every year since opening in 2004 and is currently open 94 hours per week, up from 77 hours per week. |