1. Explanation of rating scales
For a 5 point bi-polar scale following scores applied:
very satisfied +100
fairly satisfied +50
neither 0
fairly dissatisfied -50
very dissatisfied -100
and then the mean for all respondents found to give an overall value.
For a 4 point uni-polar scale following scores applied:
Very useful
Fairly Useful +67
Of some use +33
Not at all useful 0
The next few charts use rating scales.here are two types of scale:
Bi-polar mean that people can vary between very positive through not bothered to very negative.
Uni-polar mean people can vary between degrees of positiveness.

2. Example of rating scale
Library staff for helping identify appropriate resources
number score product
Very useful
Fairly useful
of some use
Not at all useful
14945
mean
The mean is the number shown at the end of the bars on the following rating scale charts. This gives us a figure that can be used to compare between items e.g. other internet resources are more useful on average than links followed from LIS web pages.
It also gives us a figure that can be used for comparison purposes if we want to run the same survey again. For some of the questions these could be used as performance indicators e.g. we have a question where respondents are asked to give their level of agreement with the statement:
‘library services overall are good’.

3. Usefulness of Library Services
Subject databases are the most valued resource. Library staff to help identify resources and the self issue machine are both rated as better than fairly useful.
More emphasis needs to be put on promoting our web pages as a gateway to our postgraduates, as they rate other internet resources found via a search engine more highly than the free resources recommended on the library web pages.
Fairly useful
Of some use

4. Attitudes to Library Services
A comments form and web feedback form have been introduced this year. The comments form will also soon be made available on the web.
The other 4 items are compared on the next slide with results from the previous survey.
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree

5. Comparison with postgraduate survey 2000
2004
Library services overall are good
49.8
60.3
Generally I find the item I seek in the Library
1.9
26.7
I find the Library quiet enough for study
19.7
14.0
Generally I can access computers in the Library when I need them.
10.3
0.8
Performance on overall services has improved as a result of the continuous improvement programme. The ease of finding items has improved hugely, which could reflect a combination of improved shelving, the weeding programme and improved signage.
Fewer postgraduates agree that it is quiet enough for study. 48 % strongly or slightly agree with the statement whereas 30% slightly or strongly disagree. A campaign initiated in the summer term was very successful in curbing noise in the library. This will be re-established in the new academic year.
Fewer postgraduates than 4 years ago agree that they can find a computer to use when they need one. 40 new lab computers have been commissioned since summer 03 and this figure of 0.8 may well reflect people’s experiences from before summer 03.

6. Opening hours
Only 17% expressed any dis-satisfaction with opening hours.
The improvements in opening hours and availability of more electronic resources has resulted in a higher satisfaction level than the results of the postgraduate survey in 2000.

7. Opening hours – normal term time
There was no clear cut choice of time slot that would suit most postgraduates who weren’t completely satisfied with the opening hours. Even if analysed for taught students only or research students only there is no clear cut choice.

8. Opening hours – exam revision time
There were 109 respondents to this question and there was a clear preference for extending hours from 10pm to midnight on weekdays. Budget constraints mean that LIS are unable to consider this at the current time.
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