Download pdf - Roehampton University Library Survey 2009

Library Survey 2009 ‐ The Results

Visiting the Library70% of respondents to the survey visit us in the Library daily or weekly.

Computer Use

36% of respondents use the computers in Wired daily or weekly40% of respondent use PC suites daily or weekly

You’d like to see more computer suites, more printers and some more laptop docking stations.

Library Survey 2009 – What you said…

StudyZone83% of you use StudyZone to support your studies either daily or weekly.

What do you use it for?

• Accessing lecture notes• Accessing module/programme info• Accessing other materials• Checking your grades• Submitting coursework• Using the Turnitin plagiarism checking tool


More resources Many of you wanted more resources, books and journals both print and electronic.

• The University has committed to providing additional finances to support the expansion of our Key Text Reference Collection over a three year period.

• We have increased the Key Text Reference Collection this summer.

• The Quick Reference Collection has also been re‐housed in the Key Text area.


More resources Many of you wanted more resources, books and journals both in print and electronic.

• We have subscribed to a variety of additional electronic resources this year, covering a range of subject areas.

• New resources include: Times Digital Archive, Periodicals Archive Online, Communication and Mass Media, ARTSTOR and Springer Biomedical and Life Sciences.


Finding ThingsMany of the responses suggested that finding resources was an issue and that you would like us to focus staffing in this area.

• We plan to allocate more staff time to roving duties on the floors this year.

• Our Library Staff are easily identifiable by their tops. When they’re roving on the upper floors they can assist you with queries and help you to find the resources that you are looking for.


Finding ThingsYou suggested that better signage and a review of the Library Catalogue (OPAC) might be useful in helping you find things.

Future Plans: •Based on your responses we have decided to do a review of the signage in the Library. This will take some time and we hope to involve some of you in those decisions too.

• We are hoping to update the Library Catalogue ( OPAC) this year. This will also give us an opportunity to review the content and functionality.


Self ServiceSelf Service transactions have vastly increased since last years developments. Though you’d like more instruction on using the machines.

• Library staff are on hand to help you with the machines and further information on their use will be provided.

• Follow the instructions on screen and remember to push the book right to the back to ensure it won’t set off the alarms!


Study SpacesThose that answered the survey favoured a variety of study spaces and environments .

How do you prefer to study?

• At a desk• Access to computers• In a quiet area• Soft furnishings• During the day• With food and drink

We try to provide a variety of study spaces to meet a variety of needs.


Too much noise You felt that the Library was too noisy and that the noise zones were not respected by all library users.

• We have invested in updating the SILENT study room on the third floor to include new furniture, individual study booths and small study rooms.

• Library Staff, while supporting users on the upper floors, will be monitoring noise zones.

• We urge all of our users to respect the needs of others and choose a study area that suits their purpose.


Respondents to the survey were invited to make free text comments – here are some of the positive comments received.

• I like the way it is, for me it is complete!• I hope that the library continues to have the same good atmosphere in the future, that it has had in the four years ihave been using it.• When all said the Library is pretty damn good now on all levels• The staff are always very helpful and I am still learning more useful things I can do in the library.



Thinking creatively, if you could wish for one thing to be added to or incorporated in the Library, what would it be?

•A big open place for groups to work in a green zone.• Drop in clinics for how to use applications• More staff at busy times•The Wired area to be a lot bigger and less hot.• Vending machines for sweets and chocolate for those late night studies when the cafe is closed• Having individual, inflatable areas (like the one on the ground floor) for working in may also create interesting and inviting working areas.• Ben and Jerry's ice cream. And lots of it! :)• Music!!! And a pot noodle machine, obviously!School children's impression of

their ideal library ‐ 2008