Library Survey FAQ

• What is the Online Library Survey?
• Why is the Libraries doing this survey?
• How will I benefit from completing the survey?
• What are the incentive prizes for the survey drawing?
• What does the survey measure?
• What kinds of questions are in the survey?
• Are the survey responses confidential?
• Who can take the survey?
• How long does it take to complete the survey?
• How do I take the survey?
• How many email messages will I receive?
• Who can I contact if I have issues taking the survey?
• Is there a paper version of the survey?
• Can I skip questions that don't apply to me?
• What happens to the data collected in the survey?
• Will the results of the survey be made available?
• Where can I find more information about the survey?

What is the Online Library Survey? The Online Library Survey is a rigorously tested Web-based survey called LibQUAL+ offered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The survey allows libraries to solicit, track, understand, and act upon users' opinions of service quality.

Why is the Libraries doing this survey? It will allow us to compare ourselves to the 20 University System of GA libraries who are also performing the survey this semester and to the 300 university and college libraries who have done or will do the survey this year.

How will I benefit from completing the survey? By completing the survey, you will let us know where our services need improvement. We will have a better understanding of what the CSU community requires from the Libraries, which will allow us to modify existing services and develop new services that better meet your needs. As an incentive to complete the survey, there will be a drawing for 3 prizes at the end of the survey.

What are the incentive prizes for the survey drawing?

1st prize		1 GB (First Generation) White iPod Nano
2nd prize		1 GB Memorex Flash Drive
3rd prize		$25 Best Buy Gift Card (can be used online or in store)

Please note that completing the survey multiple times will NOT enter you into the drawing multiple times.

What does the survey measure? The survey measures your perceptions of the library in 3 areas: Affect of Service, Library as Place, and Information Control.

What kinds of questions are in the survey? Each of the 27 main questions asks what is the minimum (lowest) level of service acceptable you, what is the level of service you want, and what is the level of service we currently provide. There are 11 questions asking for your opinion of the library and how you use the library, 5 demographic questions, and a text box for you to enter any comments or complaints in your own words.

Are the survey responses confidential? Yes, all responses are confidential. While your email address (if entered) and some general computer information will be recorded:

1. your email address is not saved with your responses, so there is no way of linking your response to your email address.
2. it would be difficult to use any collected computer information to trace a particular response to you.

Who can take the survey? Any student, faculty member or staff member of CSU can take the survey.

How long does it take to complete the survey? It will take you 10-15 minutes to complete the survey.

How do I take the survey? The survey is completed online. On October 16, 2006, an email message containing a link to the survey will be sent to students, faculty and staff of CSU. By going to the link, you will have access to the survey. The last day to take the survey is November 5, 2006. Prize winners will be contacted after November 5, 2006.

How many email messages will I receive? You will receive 3 email messages -- the initial survey invitation and 2 reminders. Because we have no way of knowing who has taken the survey, everyone will receive all 3 emails.

Who can I contact if I have issues taking the survey? Please contact Akeisha Heard by email (libqual@colstate.edu), phone (706-565-3555), or in person (Library room 106).

Is there a paper version of the survey? Yes there is a paper version of the survey. To take it, please contact Akeisha Heard by email (libqual@colstate.edu) or in person (Library room 106).

Can I skip questions that don't apply to me? You must answer every question in order to submit the survey. If a question doesn't apply to you, please select the "N/A" option.

What happens to the data collected in the survey? Survey data is transmitted directly to a secure database. ARL then analyzes the data and generates reports.

Will the results of the survey be made available? Yes, the results of the survey will be posted after analysis on this web page.

Where can I find more information about the survey? For more general information, see the LibQUAL+ homepage at http://www.libqual.org. For more about CSU's survey, please contact Callie McGinnis, Dean of the Libraries.