Selecting a User Survey Instrument and Adapting to Institutional Needs Boston University Libraries Assessment Committee members: Dan Benedetti, Mugar Memorial Library Kate Bronstad, Alumni Medical Library David Fristrom, Science & Engineering Library Dan Piekarski, Pardee Management Library Linda Plunket, Educational Resources Library Jim Skypeck, Theology Library Alex Solodkaya, Educational Resources Library Sarah Struble, Mugar Memorial Library BU’s Assessment Committee thanks UW’s Assessment Committee for their openness and support

Possible Survey Tools Factors Influencing Choice LibQUAL+MISOUW’s User SurveyHomegrown Validity of questions & reliability of survey established developingnone Number of institutions 1000+, variety of libraries, mostly academic 38, mostly colleges 2-3none Needed resources some staff time and expertise, limited costs more staff time and expertise, no costs significant staff time and expertise, no costs Responsibility for initial analysis centralized local library’s Alignment with BU’s institutional culture highmediumhighlow Projected usefulness of results medium very highlow

Objectives for Conducting User Surveys Better serve users Anticipate user needs in changing environments Data driven resource allocation Align strategy and assessment

Reasons to Adapt UW’s User Survey Ease of interpretation of results Ease of communicating results Triennial model Adaptable for local needs Support from UW’s Libraries

Local Adaptations Tailored questions to local situation Requested IRB approval Only web-based format and distribution Used Survey Monkey

Process of Adapting UW’s User Survey ObjectiveKey PlayersResolution Broach idea to University Administration UL & Provost Garnered support of University Administration Concept stabilizationAssessment Committee Articulated data needed, target populations, analysis plan Draft questions & methodologyAssessment CommitteeFirst draft Compare draft to UW’s surveyAssessment Committee Balanced local needs with ability to compare results Reality check UW Libraries’ Director of Assessment and Planning Recommendations on next steps and realization that survey would not be conducted until Fall, 2010 Expert review BU Faculty knowledgeable about survey design; BU library staff Considered and incorporated some suggestions Test the surveyBU faculty (convenience sampling)Completed pilot & incorporated changes Seek IRB approvalIRB Director and staffReceived IRB approval Generate appropriate listHR program analyst Sent IS&T appropriate list of faculty for Provost to use to invite faculty to take the survey

BU Faculty Library Survey 2010 UW Faculty Library Survey 2010

BU Faculty Library Survey 2010