Embedded Files
People were given a chance to provide feedback on collections; 1150 people did so. The issues they raised are presented below.
Improvement suggestions: 19%
E.g., more in specific topic areas, more in certain formats, more multimedia resources, request for a specific resource, more leisure reading, etc.
Awareness issues -- want more marketing or instruction: 16%
E.g., how-to videos, more info on library locations, reminder emails about things in library, events to promote resources, more info about tech in libraries, etc.
Positive comment: 15%
Context issues during collection use: 15%
Noise, need more spaces for studying, more seating and tables, want handicapped parking for material return, more collaboration spaces, make spaces more visually pleasant, better help with wayfinding, more employees around to help, etc.
Problems with library website or catalog: 10%
VPN issues, want shelf view when using catalog, login to get stuff is confusing, want a more unified place to get stuff online, website confusing, too many steps to get things, more items with Get This, more intuitive search, etc.
Difficulties with print/electronic resources: 10%
Confusing to use different databases, trouble finding newspaper resources via library online, trouble with eBooks, trouble with logging in, commonly-used resources more front and center
Difficulties using collection services: 7%
Accessibility issues: 5%
More electronic collections: 5%
People who provided negative ratings about collection diversity were given a chance to share their thoughts; 234 people did so. Examples of the issues they raised are presented below.
Suggestions about areas to increase or improve content: 56%
“I hope there are more newly published books in Chinese. Thanks.”
“More resources on Middle Eastern culture and migration/history.”
“More international novels would be a good addition.”
“I have struggled to find books relating to Malawi or Zambia.”
“South Asian authors, as well as other diverse authors and novels released in the past 10 years aimed as YA/NA/Adult.”
“My research is within the Culinary archive and I have noticed the majority of collection items/ephemera are by white authors, especially those covering "ethnic" foods.”
Difficulty with search for or finding items: 13%
Requests for more marketing of diversity in collections: 12%
“Increasing awareness about the different collections and diverse arrays available. Just advertising some of these things on the website in a banner or click-through would be great.”
“I would like to see an explicit focus on scholars of color by discipline, a celebration of authors of color/queer/disabled/non-Western authors in fiction and scholarship, and more attention to inviting diverse scholars for talks and workshops held by the library.”
Make collections more accessible or discoverable: 12%
“All foreign language books and media are not cataloged yet so I have to ask ILL or ask the library to catalog. It is not convenient. The GET THIS function does not work for these un-cataloged books.”
“Of the materials that the Library has, collections with diverse authors and creators are present, but are not highlighted nor described as well as they could be, to encourage use.”
Requests for non-English language materials: 10%
Requests for more content by people in minority groups: 9%
Requests involving non-academic materials: 5%
Suggestions for doing more to educate library users about collections: 5%
People who provided negative ratings about the collection were given a chance to share their thoughts; 227 respondents did so. The types of issues they raised are presented below.
Suggested areas for increased or improved content in collections: 40%
“A lot of books I search for are unavailable. They are usually top selling books from popular authors too.”
“More textbooks please.”
“The materials need to be updated on a regular basis. Sometimes, the material resources are far outdated. For the music library, music scores in CD format are hard to play and use with no CD player. It may need more streaming versions.”
“It would be helpful to have more online books (not through Ebsco). Ebsco is very clunky to use for online reading.”
Need more instructions on how to use resources: 15%
“More instructions on how to use each Database for newspaper research. A way to find a list of newspapers offered by each database.”
“I would like to know how I can use library services remotely.”
“Often when I am searching for a specific thing, it is not available. I am often thwarted when I want something particular rather than generally researching, which tends to go well.”
Want more education for collection users: 13%
“I'm not sure what I have access to and how to get it.”
Collections are difficult to use or navigate: 11%
Trouble with e-resources: 11%
Want electronic access to more materials: 11%
Things in collection were missing, lost, not available: 7%
Want stuff beyond academic collections: 5%
Requests related to newspapers: 5%
People who rated library resources negatively were given a chance to explain; 130 people did so. The types of issues they raised are presented below.
Issue with collections: 41%
“Not enough print materials - materials are primarily electronic.”
“I did not find the books that I was looking for, even after consulting the catalog and talking to a librarian. I was not sure if the books were simply permanently unavailable, or if someone had checked them out recently.”
“I wish the journals were more inclusive in the subscription settings. Several times I have wanted to access a journal that was not available with UM's subscription.”
Difficulties with electronic access: 31%
“The online textbooks are usually being used.”
“The databases aren't easily discoverable and need the person using it to have a good navigation of technology.”
“It is so very hard to find resources on websites because there are so many separate sites.”
“Several times I have wanted to access a journal that was not available with UM's subscription.”
Tough finding a quality study space: 24%
“I don't study at the library much any more because I am frequently unable to find a seat to study.”
“There was no room to sit anywhere wherever I looked in the UGLI. I was very sad.”
“It is so hard to find a collaborative space in the library.”
“Overall, the library is loud and crowded. I am always shocked by how disruptive students are in the library, and I wish there was a culture of quietness and respect in the libraries.”
Issues with accessing materials: 22%
“Most of the online books I am looking for are search-only.”
“The journals are hard to find and rarely fit my project needs.”
Library too busy at certain times: 18%
Issue related to a specific library space: 11%
Space improvement suggestions: 10%
“More space, rooms, or tables are needed for people to study. All libraries rarely have spots available for me to study."
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