For the first time since the merger, the service quality at the libraries at the main academic area is being evaluated. Initially, only students will take part in the evaluation.
2012.04.20 |
This month, all students at BSS will evaluate the service quality at the BSS libraries. Photo: Jesper Rais, AU Photo
The libraries' physical framework, services and information resources will be evaluated in the LibQual survey conducted in April. All students at BSS have been invited to participate in the survey, the aim of which is to improve the service quality at the libraries.
- LibQual can help us assign priority to the range of services we provide and thereby establish which services can be improved for the benefit of others, says librarian Ditte Schjødt Svensson.
Interdisciplinary cooperation
The former ASB Library has made use of LibQual three times before, but after the merger, it will be applied in the evaluation of the service quality at all BSS libraries. According to Ditte Schjødt Svensson, the cooperation and the experience that it provides are important factors.
- The experience we gain this year can prove to be useful at the new AUL (Aarhus University Library), so hopefully we can use LibQual to develop and improve the library service at the entire AU.
Benchmarking against others
LibQual is used by many libraries around the world, which makes it possible for BSS to compare the library service with others. The opportunity for benchmarking adds great value to the libraries at BSS.
- Benchmarking allows us to identify the areas where we do a good job, and where we could do a better job. And the same time, it provides us with ideas on how we can improve the service, says Ditte Schjødt Svensson.
In addition to benchmarking against the entire world, LibQual also allows the libraries to benchmark against themselves. This has previously proven to be very effective at the former ASB Library, which has improved a number of services based on the survey.
- In three years, we have doubled the number of study places at the library, placed greater emphasis on access to databases from home, arranged competence-development courses for the librarians, so that we can provide even better guidance, and reduced the extent of the survey in order to increase the response rate, says Ditte Schjødt Svensson.
This year's survey is conducted from 9 to 30 April. In June, the final results will be available in a report.
FACTS:
For more information
Ditte Schjødt Svensson
BSS Library
Development Consultant and responsible for the LibQual survey
Tel.: +45 87152473
E-mail: disj@asb.dk
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