L-r: Library staff Celia Walker and Sue Erickson, undergraduate student Siri Kadire (winner of the grand prize drawing), and library staff Tao You and Teri Bante.
Nearly 2,300 faculty, students and staff participated in the recent survey about Vanderbilt’s libraries that is a first step in comprehensive planning for major library-enhancement efforts on campus.
“We are grateful for the strong response to the latest LibQUAL+ survey, including the participation of 490 faculty members,” said Connie Vinita Dowell, dean of the libraries. “I have been reading and re-reading the comments of those who took the time to write them. It is helpful to know about not only the areas in which we do great, but also those in which we need to improve.” Individual comments will be kept confidential.
The library staff was pleased that the participants addressed issues at all the libraries across campus. Dowell noted that the Central Library generated the largest number of comments – 791 in all. “We are looking at ways to share an analysis of the results with not only the campus leadership, but also with university stakeholders more broadly,” she said.
To encourage survey participation, the library made a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank for each response received. As a result, Second Harvest received a total of 11 boxes filled with food items from the library. In addition, participants could submit their e-mail addresses for a drawing for several prizes, including airline ticket vouchers.
Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu