General Survey Results Bates participated in the 2003 LibQual+ survey with twenty other members of the Oberlin Group (a group of libraries from selective liberal arts colleges throughout the country). In most measures of user perception of quality of service, these small college libraries outperformed the average four-year institution, as well as the average large research library. This should not be a surprise, as liberal arts college libraries focus their attention on the individual needs of students and faculty members. Among this select group of small college libraries, Bates rated average or better in most categories of service for both undergraduate students and faculty members. Here are some areas in which Bates students rated our services particularly high (among the top 3 or 4 of the twenty participants): · The Library understands the needs of users and willingness to help them · The Library gives users individual attention · There are easy-to-use access tools that allow me to find things on my own · The Library Web site enables me to locate information on my own · The Library helps me stay abreast in my field(s) of interest Among undergraduates the areas where we ranked below average were many of the items related to the Library as a place (questions related to user comfort, quiet and atmospheres). Read more about this, and what we are doing about it. Here are some areas in which Bates faculty members rated our services particularly high: · The Library has the electronic information resources I need · The Library provides timely document delivery/interlibrary loan · Library staff is knowledgeable, courteous and caring, and is ready to respond to users' questions · The Library has easy-to-use access tools that allow me to find things on my own, and electronic resources accessible from my home or office · The Library informs me of useful library services · The overall ranking for quality of library service Like students, faculty members rated us below average in quiet space for individual activities and getaway space for study, learning and research. As a result of these responses and our own observations, we have taken particular steps to create quiet study areas and improve the quality and availability of comfortable library furniture. If you are interested in seeing the detailed survey results, please contact the Office of the Librarian.

	Page author: Laura Juraska Date: 8/25/03		Feedback and Suggestions © Bates College. All rights reserved.
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