Ask a Librarian

Releases

Contact News

« Back to All News Releases

UW-Madison Libraries to conduct library service quality survey

By Katie Gilbert
Library Communications

Posted 3/9/2004

MADISON, Wis. -- The UW-Madison Libraries will administer a survey this spring that will assess their users' opinions of service quality. The service assessment survey will utilize a rigorously tested Web-based instrument called LibQUAL+. This tool will provide valuable feedback on services offered, library usage and general satisfaction. The libraries will use the survey information to enhance services and respond to user needs.

This nationally recognized survey will also be used by other University of Wisconsin System libraries. It asks participants to rate the service they believe they receive and their desired level of service. It helps to identify the gaps between desired, perceived, and minimal expectations of service. Approximately 2,500 graduate and undergraduate students as well as faculty will be selected from a campus-wide pool to fill out the survey via e-mail.

Participants selected at random will receive an e-mail in late March inviting them to participate. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed through a URL embedded in the e-mail message. The survey will close in mid-April. Reminder e-mails will be sent out with additional opportunities to respond for those who might not have filled out the survey upon the first invitation.

The survey consists of 22 questions about the service customers receive, accessibility and control of information, the library as a place, and five additional questions about user's satisfaction, library usage, and the user's demographics. Participants will be able to make additional remarks in a comments box.

When the survey is completed participants may choose to submit their e-mail address to be entered in a drawing for a prize. This is not required, however, and respondents may remain anonymous. There will be one grand prize and five smaller prizes for those who wish to participate.

For more information about the survey, please visit http://www.libqual.org. Questions about the survey may be directed to lib-qual@library.wisc.edu.

My Accounts arrowarrow