Feb. 4, 2013 - Since 2010 York University Libraries have created more than 400 additional study seats, renovated Scott and Frost Libraries, replaced almost all computers and doubled their e-book collection by adding more than 300,000 titles. These improvements to the Libraries’ spaces, collections and services are in direct response to feedback provided by York faculty, graduate and undergraduate students in the 2010 LibQUAL+ survey.

On Feb. 11, University Librarian Cynthia Archer will invite all faculty members, 2,500 randomly selected graduate and 5,000 randomly selected undergraduate students to participate in LibQUAL+ – an online survey conducted by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) that serves to assess library services, compare benchmark standards and create organizational change.

“When identifying the Libraries’ strategic priorities, we look to faculty and students to determine library developments that can have a positive impact on their research and studies,” explains Archer. “The LibQUAL+ data highlights explicit ways in which we can align our spaces, services and collections with the expectations of the community we serve.”

Spaces

York’s undergraduate students identified a need for more seats and aesthetically pleasing study areas. In response to these requests the Libraries have created an additional 435 study seats in the past three years.

In 2011 phase one of the Learning Commons renovation at Scott Library was completed and a modern, student-centred space was unveiled. The second phase of the Learning Commons renovation will begin as funding becomes available.

In 2012 the Fireside Reading Room at Frost Library was renovated to offer students a fireside seating area, collaborative work tables and computer carrels. Also last year, more than 135 new quiet study seats were added to the fourth floor of Scott Library.

Services

Many 2010 LibQUAL+ participants requested newer and faster computers. As a result, York University Libraries have made good on the promise that no computer shall ever be more than three-years-old.

 Collections

Faculty and students now have access to a collection of e-books that has more than doubled in size from 300,000 to over 600,000 titles. Additionally, in the past three years the Libraries have acquired more than 24,000 e-journals – bringing the total number of e-journal titles to approximately 72,000.

The LibQUAL+ survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and participants can enter into a draw to win one of three Kobo e-Readers.

The Libraries will receive initial LibQUAL+ survey results in May and will share final results with the York community in the fall.

For more information about LibQUAL+, contact the survey coordinator at libqual@yorku.ca.