Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted.

Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave.

There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion.

A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."

The common library activities that can be rated are:

Studying:

I was able to read my books without disturbance e.g. noise pollution

I was able to use the space to create my artwork

References , e.g. dictionary, were available for me to use while studying

Researching

The librarian was accommodating when asked a question

I found the information I needed quickly

I was able to check out the book I needed for research

I was able to find my way around the extensive collection

Information service

I was able to access information online through the library's WiFi network

Some prompts were provided on where to find information

The library has an online catalog freely available for anyone to browse

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Ruby Galvez, RL

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