Blueprints: Falvey Library

By Teresa Bowden

Last May, the Falvey VQI Enhancement Team coordinated a survey with OPTIR’s  Kathleen Nazar to determine students’ satisfaction levels with the Library, focusing on the quality of the facilities, resources and services, the helpfulness of the staff, and student usage patterns.  Similar studies were conducted in 1996 and 1999, and findings in 2002 often paralleled the earlier findings, with a few exceptions.

 Students’ primary reasons for using the Library have remained the same since 1999. The top three reasons continue to be studying alone, conducting research and using reserve materials.  Other _common uses are studying in groups, borrowing books and accessing the Internet and e-mail.

Figure 1 displays the frequency with which students use certain types of information resources.  Not surprisingly, the leading source of information used by students is the Internet, followed by VUCat, the online catalog, books and electronic databases. Since 1999 use of the online catalog, electronic journals, and electronic reserve has increased, while use of books, photocopiers, paper indexes and microfilm has decreased accordingly. This shows a marked shift toward using electronic resources over print resources, a trend which is sure to continue.

Figure 1. Frequency with which students use information resources

Students seem to be generally satisfied with the resources and services of the Library.  The helpfulness of the staff continues to receive high marks, consistently above 4.0 on a 5.0 point scale. Students responded that the hours and the book and journal holdings in their disciplines are adequate. Areas that the students indicate need improvement are room for group study, appropriate temperature in the building, the number of computers and the number of laptop connections available.

Almost half of our students (48%) indicated they rarely need help when using the Library; we hope this is a positive response to our instruction program rather than a false sense of competence. More cause for concern is that one-fifth of the students say they rarely use the Library and the number of courses requiring library resources has consistently dropped since 1996.  

On a more positive note, students report being pleased with our instruction program, as seen in Figure 2. We have reduced the number of students never experiencing a class in the Library by half. In 1999, 39% indicated they had not had a class in the Library; in 2002, this was true for only 19% of respondents. In addition, the first-year-student Quest program received more favorable feedback. In 1999 only 26% of students reported that they found the Quest program to be helpful; in 2002, 43% indicated this session was useful.

Figure 2. Student Perceptions of Library Classes

The data gathered in these periodic surveys is invaluable feedback for Falvey.  It lets us know when we are excelling (our staff), when we’re heading in the right direction (our instruction), and where we still need some work (the building).  This information will be used in our long range planning, and we’ll see once again how we’re doing next time in 2005.

Teresa Bowden is a reference librarian and co-leader of the Falvey VQI Enhancement Team.  
 

By Luisa Cywinski, Circulation Supervisor

Gerald Dierkes was welcomed to the library in December as the new Evening Circulation Supervisor. He will be supervising evening Circulation students, door checkers and building monitors and will also be managing the library’s courtesy membership file, which includes local residents, area faculty and Villanova alumni. Gerald will also coordinate evening Circulation operations, interpret library policy to members of the University community and monitor activity in the building.

Prior to accepting the position at Falvey, Gerald taught undergraduate English courses at Delaware County Community College while simultaneously completing his own graduate coursework in English at West Chester University. He continues to work toward the completion of his master’s thesis, which focuses on Shakespeare’s King Lear.

As if he weren’t busy enough, Gerald and his wife, Sunda, are raising their son, Jonathon, in Morton, Delaware County. His hobbies, which have been put on hold until his son is a little older, include playing contemporary piano and drums. Gerald’s last name may sound familiar to some of you. His sister, Bernadette Dierkes, is senior managing graphic artist in Instructional Media Services, also in Falvey Library. We are pleased to have another member of the Dierkes family on board!

There are two computers which are reserved for faculty use immediately inside the entrance to the Periodicals bound stacks on the first floor of Falvey Library. The decision to make these computers available to faculty came after a request from a faculty member who was not able to find an open computer during the busiest time of the semester. These workstations can also be used by graduate assistants with special permission. The computers are available for viewing VUCat and the databases and word processing. Printing is not available.
 

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of services, Falvey Library will participate during the spring 2003 semester in an assessment project sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries. Called LIBQUAL+, this project uses a web-based survey to measure how effectively the library’s facilities, collections and staff meet the needs and expectations of its users.

In March, Villanova faculty, students and staff will be invited to respond to the survey. Additional information will be provided in an e-mail message to the campus community on March 17^th.  Villanova’s library staff is eager to receive the results of the survey.  A high response rate will increase the survey’s usefulness for library planning, so please take the time to complete the survey when it comes your way.
 

Biography Resource Center includes biographical information on more than 200,000 individuals from all times, places and occupations. Coverage is strongest for the arts and modern times. The amount of information provided on an individual varies greatly and the rationale for inclusion is uncertain. However since it is very easy and quick to determine if there is a biographical sketch on a particular individual, this database is a good starting point for your search. The entries include references to additional information and many also have links to selected web sites. It is possible to search by “occupation” from Abolitionist (66) to Zoologist (83).  Interestingly, 479 individuals have at some point been employed as librarians.

INSPEC, an important resource produced by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, indexes and abstracts over 3400 scientific and technical publications on physics, electrical engineering, electronics, computing, communications and information technology. Covering from 1969 to the present, it includes items published in conference proceedings, books, dissertations and reports. Through Falvey’s subscription from Engineering Information, it is possible to search INSPEC and Compendex (an interdisciplinary engineering database) simultaneously.

(This new series, offering personal comments from Villanova faculty and staff who have worked with people in various Falvey departments, will highlight those collegial connections and Falvey’s diverse services.)

DONNA BLASZKOWSKI … from Dr. Rodger Van Allen, professor, theology and religious studies, and co-editor of the journal American Catholic Studies, for the cover she designed for the journal: “The new journal is stunningly good looking and has drawn rave reviews. It has also innovatively incorporated front and back covers with pictures on both, in a thematic unity. Donna has been creative, accommodating, patient and a delight to collaborate with, for me, for co-editor Margaret McGuinness, and editorial assistant Margaret King.”

American Catholic Studies co-editor Dr. Margaret McGuinness, Donna Blaszkowski, Dr. Rodger Van Allen and editorial assistant Margaret King

Donna is one of three artists in the graphic arts and photography department of Instructional Media Services. They create, design and produce original art work for the Villanova faculty and administration. Various types of projects are developed through the utilization of computer graphics, desktop publishing and digital photography, as well as conventional graphic and photographic techniques. The end products include multimedia and web page creations, as well as printed materials such as fliers, brochures, booklets, posters, logos and three dimensional objects.

In addition, they provide special exhibit design, production and consultation, slide and print production, and location and documentation photography. The final product may also be a part of a local, national or international publication or conference presentation.
 

Also contributing to this issue of Blueprints: Louise Green, Laura Hutelmyer, Joe Lucia, Judy Olsen and Jacqueline Smith. Photography and graphics by Donna Blaszkowski and Lorraine Williams.