Raymond H. Fogler Library to Participate in National Survey
Contact: Gretchen Gfeller at (207) 581-1696
ORONO, Me. — Raymond H. Fogler Library at the University of Maine will soon have an opportunity to gather opinions from those who use their collections. Through April 15, the library will be administering the LibQUAL+ survey, an international level program designed by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Texas A&M University Libraries with support from a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
Since the year 2000, nearly 1,300 libraries have participated in LibQUAL+, including colleges and universities, public libraries, law libraries, and various other museums and collections in the United States, Canada, and England. Data gathered at each library can therefore be compared with responses at peer institutions. The primary goal of the survey’s design is to assess whether services are meeting user expectations.
“We have gathered some great prizes,” says Gretchen Gfeller, Web and Public Relations Specialist for Fogler Library. “To encourage participation, we will be giving away two iPod Shuffles (donated by the Computer Connection), a sweatshirt (donated by the University Bookstore), and a variety of gift certificates.”
The library will be hosting a “LibQual Day” on Monday, April 9, beginning at 10 a.m. Gfeller explains, “This will be a day when students can come right into the library and take the survey using the computers in our classroom. We will be thanking them with a variety of goodies including soda, popcorn and candy.”
The web based survey takes approximately ten minutes to complete. UMaine’s students, faculty and staff members will be receiving an emailed invitation to participate. All interested library users are welcome to complete the survey and provide feedback for the library. The web URL will be prominently posted on the library’s web site and on posters around the building.
“We sincerely hope that everyone will take a few minutes to complete the survey,” says Gfeller. “As we plan for the future of the library, it is important that we understand our users’ perceptions and expectations. We’re asking everyone to ‘help your library.’ In responding to this survey, our patrons are making their voices heard.”