Survey: Most students satisfied with quality of library service

Mara McDermott
Contributing Writer

According to last semester’s survey, which has yet to be fully analyzed, it would seem that most University of West Florida students are pleased with the quality of their libraries.
Out of 9,289 surveys that were sent to students via e-mail, 930 were returned, roughly 10 percent of those polled, said Associate Library Director Helen J. Wigersma. On average, respondents answered that they were overall “very satisfied” with the UWF libraries, although complete survey results will not be available until all information has been evaluated.
“ I have some raw data, but that doesn’t help me a whole lot,” Wigersma said.
On March 29, students received a second survey to rate library service quality as part of a nationwide project sponsored by the Associate of Research Libraries in collaboration with the Texas A&M University Libraries.
“ As we plan for the future of the University of West Florida Libraries, it is important that we understand our users’ perceptions and expectations so that we can provide the services you need,” said library directory Grady Morein in the March 29 Student News e-mail.
A few students questioned had unpleasant service experiences with unhelpful library personnel, but were unwilling to share their stories on the record. However, one UWF senior, who has responded to both library surveys, was not afraid to offer her thoughts about service quality.
“ As far as the librarians are concerned, I believe they are all well-qualified for their respective positions,” said Melissa Guynn, 27, who is studying political science and international studies. “However, I find that when I need help actually locating a particular volume that is allusive to me, the librarians seem to loathe getting up and helping me pinpoint the volume in question. The most physical help I’ve received is to be directed to a computer."
Other students wonder why they cannot use their 500 free printed-sheets per semester at the library, where it costs as much as 15 cents per page to print.
“ We’re working right now to get that system changed, so you will have an opportunity to do that over here,” Wigersma said. “There have been some technical glitches that have occurred, so we don’t have it up and running yet, but they have been working on it since January.”
Wigersma said that they are open to any suggestions students may have to improve the UWF libraries. The idea to put a coffee shop inside the John C. Pace Library is still under consideration, she said.
Jutta Chrastmann, 33, and Masumi Yamamoto, 35, who are taking English as a Second Language classes at the UWF International Center, said that the John C. Pace Library is very important to their studies.
“ It’s comfortable to study and do homework in,” Yamamoto said. “It’s a better place to study than at home. I can’t do homework there.”
Chrastmann said that they both needed the library.
Library personnel are currently working to expand their online holdings and Internet services so that patrons will be able to do research at any time, day or night.
“ We’ve been working very hard to put things in place where you really don’t have to come to the library — we want you too — but you don’t have to,” Wigersma said. “We want to make sure that you have access to a very large number of journal articles in a wide variety of fields, so that if you’re doing a term paper, you can gain access to a lot of those in full-text online and don’t have to leave your dorm room. If you’re studying at 2 a.m., it won’t make any difference.”
For more information about library services or accessing online collections, call 474-2414 or visit www.lib.uwf.edu.