LibQUAL+ FAQ

LibQUAL+ is an online survey of user perceptions that measures three dimensions of library services:

• The quality of our customer service
• The delivery of information to the user
• The library facilities and environment

Data generated from this survey will help the Van Pelt and Opie Library understand what our users want in each of those areas. Decisions about changes and improvements will be based on the feedback we hear from you, our users.

The survey is part of a program offered by the Association of Research Libraries that enables libraries to generate data that will help libraries better understand the needs of library users. LibQUAL+ data from Michigan Tech will be used to inform decision-making, to enable us to measure ourselves against peers, and to identify current best practices in library services.

The library invites all Michigan Tech students, faculty, and staff to tell us how you use the library and what you think about the services we provide. We are asking your help to identify areas of our services you would most like to see us improve. Please help us make a difference by clicking the link and taking the survey. We are listening to you.

Your input from the survey will help the library develop new services and improve existing services that will better meet your needs. We can’t do that without your help. By taking the survey and telling us your experiences with the library, staff, and services, or even why you don’t use the library or its services, you help us to understand what is most important to you. We want to make a difference for you, and we want to base our actions on what you tell us, not what we think you need.

You must complete the survey in order to enter the drawing for the iPad2. You will find instructions on entering the drawing at the end of the survey.

The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. You will be asked for your response to each item or question on three scales: your minimum level of acceptable service, your desired level of service, and the service you feel you actually get. You may choose not to complete the survey at any time.

Yes. Any identifying information about you, such as your email, is separated from your survey answers. The survey is hosted on a server supported by LibQUAL+, part of the Association of Research Libraries Statistics and Assessment Program.

Research shows that survey response is higher when multiple reminders are sent to respondents. Because your answers are confidential, we aren’t able to filter out the addresses of those who have already completed the survey.

In LibQUAL+ Lite, the version we are using at Michigan Tech, each user answers a subset of all the questions. The survey developers aggregate the responses to create a total picture of the data. Some questions are repeated so that the validity of the results can tested through statistical analysis.

Yes. Please call or email the primary investigator Julie Blair at 487-3168 or jblair@mtu.edu for a paper survey to complete.

Call Julie Blair at 487-3168 or email libqual@mtu.edu. We have tested the survey on different browsers, on and off campus, so there shouldn’t be any problems connecting to the survey URL. If there is a problem, let us know so that we can resolve it as soon as possible.

Call Julie Blair at 487-3168, email libqual@mtu.edu, or come to the library. We will be happy to tell you about the survey and how we will use the results will help us better serve Michigan Tech students, faculty, and staff.

Call Julie Blair at 487-3168 or email libqual@mtu.edu. You can also learn more at the LibQUAL+ web page, http://www.libqual.org/home.