Between 15 November and 15 December 1999, the Carpenter Library conducted a survey of its users. Surveys were distributed at the public service desks: Circulation, Learning Resources Center, and Reference and also electronically on the library's web site.
180 surveys were completed: 52 of those were received electronically.
The accompanying graphs illustrate the responses to the various questions posed by the survey. All comments have been published exactly as they were written.
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Library survey respondents were encouraged to write comments and give suggestions on how to improve the library's resources and services. Those comments and suggestions are printed below verbatim and grouped by patron category.
FACULTY
LRC staff always helpful - esp. day staff weekdays (Robin, Herb), Linda on weekends
More space; new building; upgrade LRC computers ASAP
Save money on Medline, it's on the web! It's free! wider selection of journals
Have online subscriptions to all print subscription journals, when the online version is available
Ability to rapidly (within a few hours) obtain copies of articles from journals not in the library. This includes journals to which the library does not subscribe, as well as journals checked out or at the bindery.
I think the library is doing a great job. However, in a time when microscopy is being promoted as a central way to link the Hawthorne and Reynolda campuses and is being stressed here on the Hawthorne campus, I was very shocked to see that the Journal of Microscopy, one of the most important journals in the area of microscopy innovation, was cancelled two years ago. I realize that journal budgets are tight but this was a critical journal
More relevant scientific journals-don't just stop carrying a journal without notifying faculty!
Lower fees for handling interlibrary loans
Continuing to facilitate and expand online access (remote) to electronic databases and electronic journals
It would help to receive e-mail at intervals regarding library services, projects or programs which might be of interest. I am probably not availing (myself) of potentially useful services because I do not have time to find out about them
I am happy with (the) high quality and number of copiers
Need more current clinical sciences resources in LRC, i.e., physical exam series update
Keep up the acquisition of on-line journals, even if it is only from our domain. That is a TREMENDOUS resource!
Don't shut down the copiers long before the library is closed OR else make it clear that certain functions of the library close sooner than the posted "closing" time
Improve journal holdings
Update textbooks and monographs
Improve electronic catalog - HARVEY seemed far superior for my purposes
Discontinue photocopy fees for faculty
To make a survey about how often the current subscribed journals are consulted and update the list
Revise the journal subscriptions based on faculty needs
MED STUDENT
Please add some additional printers to the LRC
Need better printer services - current ones are very inefficient
More computers, open software architecture, i.e. full systems access to allow easy file manipulation
Better ftp software installation to transfer files
More room for ERAS/internet/word processing esp. at this time of year (those are all essential before interviews/match for fourth yr.)
Subscribe to more clinical journals
Photocopies should be free for medical students, esp. sources on reserve that are required but have few copies available
More current review books
Use of scanner for students
More printers
Possibly a scanner
The copiers should be less expensive for students (we pay this school $28,00/year yet get better rates on copies at Kinko's
I am a visiting med student and have been very impressed with the resources available for students
Better computers (too slow); more printers; should BE OPEN 24 HOURS DAILY!
Hire some Microsoft Word experts
GET A NEW FREAKIN' PRINTER!
# of on-line journals?
Some journals are not available: Hearing Research; Journal of Physiology
Need more printers in LRC
Printing documents for computers is slow and laborious. It takes longer to get something to print than to generate the document. The card swiper system could use to be improved or at least update the printer so we don't have to wait forever to print documents
GRADUATE STUDENT
The electronic journal and the proxy server to allow home access to the journals is so helpful
More computers; more online journals
Extended hours over finals
More computers; 24 hr. computers; statistical programs
Add work stations (computers) with ref. databases in stacks
RESIDENT/FELLOW
Purchase a contemporary English-Russian Medical Dictionary
Longer hours
Video projector
Expanded spectrum of journals
Update textbook section
I think that it is very efficient as it is. Keep up the good work! I really appreciate being able to check out journals (a place I was working before would not let us do this)
WSSU PT STUDENTS
Improved/updated Windows; need scanner; more printers needed; longer hours in LRC; more storage @ memory needed in computers
A scanner; updated software; another printer
More physical medicine software, a-v's, etc.
NCBH STAFF
You could advertise your services more on the Home Web Page
Add the "Raleigh News and Observer"
Maintain the scope and depth of the journal holdings. There appears to be slow erosion of bound volumes. I feel this threatens the value of the Library in serving as an immediate resource for patient care issues and as a scholarly resource for research
Library services have been essential to completing many projects
I have always found something that I need with out too much trouble, so I would say the system seems fairly adequate and everyone has always been very helpful. I do feel the overdue fines are a little extreme
WFUSM STAFF
The library is one of the most efficient departments in the institution as well (as) having warm, caring, friendly customer service representatives around. New classes are available to assist in keeping pace with new technologies for which I am grateful. The classes are small enough that the instructor can trouble shoot one on one if (the) need arises.
A new elevator in the stacks would be nice.
More electronic journals
Rochelle Kramer has been very responsive to any informational needs that I have had. She always responds in a very timely manner. Whenever I need any reference information, I always ask for her because she is so helpful.
More drop off locations
I would like to see a different way to charge copies. The residents in our department can never find our copy card. One person has it, another needs it, and then nobody knows where it is. It would be nice if they could use their ID badge and the charge come back to either the individual or the department.
Make computer stations and information more user friendly.
I think the library should be more available to the school staff
More e-journals for access from our lab. I really like that service.
Repair the broken down chairs in the stacks; place more desks or possibly chairs for reading in the stacks.
Consolidate all library and photocopy cards for all WFU libraries - I need to carry 4 separate cards for Carpenter, Z. Smith, & Professional libraries.
More computer classes
LRC personnel very helpful to me
I feel the library would improve by having a friendlier staff, staplers that work, and photocopy machines that work as well.
More computer help books available for checkout, esp. Microsoft Access and SAS.
NW AHEC
Timeliness of TOC service is inconsistent; sometime you get a TOC for November in November/early December, other times you're getting the August TOC in November. Lately the turnaround time for documents requested has been longer than it used to be, and at least twice my request was lost. I have been told on more than one occasion that I could not get an article requested without paying for it, even when it was held in one of the AHEC libraries in the Northwest region.
I would like to see more photocopy machines distributed throughout the stacks, one per level perhaps, so that you don't have to lug heavy journals back and forth to the copy room. Anything that could be done to facilitate copying would be appreciated, e.g. codes or cards that charge to your department… Is or could a scanner be available?
I think the journal offerings need to be expanded into more community based/community health offerings. Also, to have so many nurses employed in such a large institution, the nursing books and journal offerings are limited and some are of little value, e.g. British Nursing Journal, I'd wager that the journal is rarely used. Even though this is a medical school, healthcare is moving to a more interdisciplinary focus and our journals should reflect that.
How are decisions made about culling old books from the stacks? While I can see the historical value of some books, others just seem to be terribly dated and taking up valuable space.
This is dreaming, but I would like to see the stacks area carpeted. It would reduce noise, be warmer, and look more up to date.
The librarians working the reference desk are consistently helpful, however a few who work at the checkout could enhance their customer service focus! Classes I have taken through the library have been good, sign-up is easy.
I think it would also be helpful to post alphabetic reference signs in the current journals area, e.g. on the walls adjacent to the main corridor through there, you could list "AB - AJ" on the left side, something else on the right. It would just speed up finding the journals.
The web site is great, well organized, graphically pleasing, and brimming with useful resources.
All in all I feel very fortunate to have these excellent resources available to me. I use them extensively in my work. Thanks for the chance to give these suggestions!
OTHER
A small guide on how to use the services before arriving; however, your library staff is excellent
More money devoted to the library
Suggest getting the audio-digest psychiatry series (if there is one)
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