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LibQual Analysis at a Liberal Arts College: a Journey

This presentation explores the journey of conducting a LibQual analysis at a liberal arts college, including the challenges, findings, and steps taken to arrive at improved library service. The analysis includes survey comments, data analysis provided by LibQual, and additional analyses conducted by the college. Recommendations for conducting your own LibQual analysis are also provided.

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LibQual Analysis at a Liberal Arts College: a Journey

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  1. LibQual Analysis at a Liberal Arts College: a Journey Sara Penhale Tom Kirk, Christine Larson, Shirley Smith, Janet Wagner, and Jeannette Wilson Earlham College

  2. Earlham College • Liberal arts college with approximately 1200 students and 130 teaching faculty • Library focuses on the teaching & learning process • Long-standing program of teaching information literacy skills • Librarians well-integrated into the life of the college

  3. Assessment in the Library • Experience in assessment • Limited expertise in large scale surveys and data sets • Analyzing LibQual data becomes a new journey

  4. Radar Chart

  5. Image from NASA Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/ozone/ozone_v8.html

  6. A journey begun on familiar territory,continued over thin ice on an unclear path, but heading toward a known destination IMPROVED LIBRARY SERVICE

  7. Our path thus far… • Considered survey comments • Examined data analysis provided by LibQual • Began our own data analysis, relevant to our own institution

  8. Step 1. Considered survey comments

  9. Dissatisfaction with handling of fines at the circulation desk • Student workers contribute to the problem

  10. Arriving at improved library service • Improved training program for students workers • Emphasis on checking in books properly, customer service attitude, etc.

  11. Guideposts for survey comments • Expect to receive opposing comments • Look for corroboration of what you suspect • Look for new insights and what’s missing • Recognize the need to look further for conclusions

  12. Our journey continues… Step 1. Considered survey comments Step 2. Examined data analysis provided by LibQual

  13. Step 2. Analysis provided by LibQual • Entire survey populationSub-groups, such as faculty or undergraduates • Radar charts for core questions • Data summaries, descriptive statistics • Comparative norms

  14. Earlham CollegeAggregate Results

  15. Undergraduates Faculty Results for Core Survey QuestionsSeparate Survey Sub-Groups

  16. Results for Core Survey QuestionsFaculty

  17. Significant differences between undergraduates and faculty on questions related to satisfaction “How would you rate the overall quality of service provided by the library?”

  18. Undergraduates 7.41 Faculty 8.12(on a scale of 1-9)

  19. Arriving at improved library service • Maintain good relationships with faculty • Make effort to integrate new faculty • Look to improve undergraduate experience

  20. Guideposts for data analysis provided by LibQual • Consider comments and data together • Be aware of the limitations of the survey questionsand the demographic categories

  21. Our journey… Step 1. Considered survey comments Step 2. Examined data analysis provided by LibQual Step 3. Began our own data analysis

  22. Step 3. Our own data analysis • Noted factors relevant to our own institution • Considered what additional analyses would be of interest • Found help and plunged in!

  23. Factors relevant to our institution • Course-integrated program of instruction in information literacy skills • Our interest in the progress of undergraduates throughout their four years

  24. Additional Analysis • Assistance from Dr. Katherine Milar, Psychology Department • Compared students from different years • ANOVA – Analysis of Variance – on a variety of variables

  25. Using this information to arrive at improved library service • Note large change between end of first year and end of second year • Lesser changes in later years • Consider meaning in context of both library program and student development • Work with faculty to plan and implement changes

  26. Guideposts for doing your own LibQual analyses • Add comparisons with other institutions • Be selective in what you analyze • Continue to focus on the destination

  27. Begin your own journey to improved library service • Start on familiar territory • Follow the map provided by LibQual • Chart new territory with your own analysis

  28. Sara Penhale Science Librarian sarap@earlham.edu Tom Kirk College Librarian kirkto@earlham.edu EARLHAM COLLEGE -- URL for Presentationhttp://www.earlham.edu/~libr/library/publications.htm

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