In February 2005 the Dalhousie Libraries ran a major campus-wide survey to determine how faculty, students and staff feel about the quality of the resources and services we offer.
The LibQUAL survey consisted of 22 questions addressing three central areas of concern: "Affect of Service," "Library As Place," and "Information Control." Library staff customized the survey to reflect the specific libraries and programs at Dalhousie.
Over 1000 undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff took the LibQUAL+ survey, and many took the time to write us detailed comments as well as answering the questions. Since then we have been working hard on tabulating the results, and have also acted on specific suggestions and criticisms made in the survey. These are some of the major issues we have addressed so far:
Easier access to electronic resources
Users frustrated with complex database searches now have the option of using Prowler, a brand new search tool which enables you to find articles without needing to know which databases they are in. Prowler searches multiple databases at once, saving you time Ñ big time!
More electronic resources
The Dalhousie Libraries offer over 15,000 electronic journals and subscribe to hundreds of research databases and electronic books. We are constantly acquiring new electronic resources and value your recommendations. Check eSearch and Databases on Trial on our website to find out about our latest acquisitions, and ask us for help if you can't find what you need.
Quiet, please!
The Killam Library has just added over 50 new quiet study spaces by designating the entire fourth and fifth floors as "Quiet Study Floors." This means no conversation and no cellphones. Many of the large group study tables have been replaced with small individual-use tables to encourage quiet study.
More computers / more study space
In June 2006, the Sexton Library opened the Sexton Learning Commons, which provides students and faculty with eight new Scholar workstations and two Express workstations.
The Kellogg Library has expanded its Learning Commons by putting eight additional computer workstations on the mezzanine, and has removed shelving where the old dental journal stacks used to be to allow for an expansion of the study area on the top floor.
Layout explained
Library users often find the layout of the Killam Library confusing, and not everyone has time to take one of our fall orientation tours. So we this summer created Killam Quest, a virtual tour of the library which covers everything you need to know about our collections and services, from the ground floor up. Killam Quest tells you exactly what books and other resources are in the library, where to find them, and even explains the call number system.
Improved equipment
We now have new state-of-the-art copiers and microform readers at the Killam Library.
Excellent staff!
We're proud of our staff and were very pleased to see from the many comments in the LibQUAL+ survey that their willingness to help, friendliness and expertise are appreciated by our users. But please continue giving us feedback about the quality our serviceÑwe want to give you our best!
Our heartfelt thanks to those of you who took the time to fill out the LibQUAL+ survey. We are continuing to act on your comments and suggestions, so watch for more changes at the Dalhousie Libraries!