At the start of Fall 2017, our library staff noticed that a large number of students had a need to use the library computer lab for printing before their 7:30 am classes. Because we open regularly at 7:30, we conducted a jar poll asking students if they wanted the library to open at 7:15 instead.
230 students responded over a 2 week period:
As a result, we changed the library open hours to 7:15.
Method
In keeping with the national campaign, students were invited to fill in preprinted speech bubbles to complete the sentence "Libraries transform because" or "I love my library because." Responses were posted in the library, and transcribed below. Responses were collected between April 11th and April 21st 2016.
Results
"They make learning fun"
"Libraries have books you can't buy at bookstores!"
"They give opportunities for all to succeed in school. Thank you!!!"
"My son, his wife and 2 little ones moved in with us last week until they find a place and I come here for peace [and] quiet so I can study and keep my grades up for this quarter!"
"The copier is free to students and [that] helped me be able to print when the print budget was cut back. Our Librarians are super helpful and considerate"
"It's a best place to revive, to do some search and having lovely workers. They provide us huge information from school and around the universe"
"They CARE about the students Reaching their potential"
"I love my library because it is a quiet, safe place that I can go to read or work or just get away for a while."
"The staff is so wonderful and wise!"
"The Librarians are the BEST! So helpful!"
"Everyone is so Helpful. I Love all of them and They have helped me through some tough times. They are my information booth."
"The Librarians Are so very helpful and knowledgeable on all subjects concerning my college studies!! Thanks Guys Keep doing an outstanding job for all of us students here at S.C.C."
Method
The following prompts were written on a white board, and students were provided with markers to add their responses. 2 librarians started the conversation by adding their personal responses.
Results
Can be seen in the photo below.
Method:
Students who attend New Student Orientation were given a brief introduction to the library, and then verbally invited to participate in a jar poll telling us which services they thought would be most useful to them.
Unless otherwise noted, question posed on the white board above the jars read "What Library Services do you see yourself using?"
| Date | 6/22/2017 | 6/28/17 | 7/11/17 | 7/12/17 | 7/26/2017 | 7/31/2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Running Start. Question: "Hey, Running Start! When you are a student, which library services will be useful to you?" |
Running Start | Running Start | No jar poll taken. Recorded attendance only | |||||
| Help researching a paper | 1 | 45 | 15 | 18 | 15 | ||||
| Study Rooms | 5 | 40 | 14 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Textbook checkout | 3 | 30 | 13 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Equipment check out | 2 | 34 | 14 | 3 | 2 | ||||
| 24/7 live chat | 4 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| I will never use the library | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| High quality information you don't have to pay for | 4 | 55 | 13 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| Total responses: | 20 | 226 | 73 | 33 | 26 | ||||
| # of Participants | 27 | 82 | 47 | ? | ? | 31 |
Method
A sign was posted in the library foyer with the question "Do you have internet access at home?" Library visitors responded by dropping glass stones into jars marked yes or no. Poll was left up from Friday, 10/21/2016 through Friday 10/28/2016
Results:
Yes - 110 responses
No - 66 responses
____________________________
Total: 176 responses
Method
A sign was posted in the library foyer with the question "What is the greatest challenge you face in completing your education?"
Library visitors responded by dropping glass stones into jars marked with the options below. Slips of paper and pencils were also provided to create custom responses for the "Other" jar. Poll was left up from Tuesday, November 7st through Tuesday, November 15th.
Results:
Childcare - 33
Transportation - 23
Computer/Internet Access - 97
Paying for school - 61
Housing - 20
Balancing school and everything else - 174
Other
24 glass stones
3 paper responses:
"Deciding if I'm in the right field"
"Work"
"Showing up."
Method:
A sign was posted in the library foyer with the question: What technology items should we add to the library?
Library visitors responded by writing check marks on the board next to their answer. Poll was left up from Tuesday, January 3rd through Tuesday, January 10th, 2017.
Results:
VR Headset: 4 votes
3D Printer: 8 votes
4D Printer: 1 vote
Bluetooth Speakers:1 vote
Additional Hotspots: 3 votes
Earbud Headphones with wipes: 2 votes
Free Coffee: 1 vote
More Printers: 1 vote
A white board was put up in the library asking students "What are you counting down to?" in their lives. Daily library countdowns included Hanukkah, end of Qtr., Star Wars, Christmas, and 2018 (shown above).
Results pictured above to "What are you counting down to?" (transcribed below).