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Page: General Information and Library Use
1. What is your class?
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 Response
Percent		Response
Count
2011
22.1%81
2012
23.8%87
2013
23.2%85
2014
28.7%105
Other
2.2%8
Other (please specify)
[ShowReplies]		8

2. What is your major?
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Percent		Response
Count
Biology
4.6%17
Chemistry
2.7%10
Civil Engineering
9.3%34
Computer Science
1.9%7
Economics & Business
13.9%51
Electrical & Computer Engineering
1.9%7
English & Fine Arts
2.7%10
History
14.5%53
International Studies & Political Science
19.4%71
Mathematics & Computer Science
2.5%9
Mechanical Engineering
12.3%45
Modern Languages & Cultures
2.2%8
Physics & Astronomy
1.9%7
Psychology
8.5%31
Other (please specify)
[ShowReplies]
1.6%6

3. During the current school year how often have you:
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 Very oftenOftenSometimesNeverRating
Count
Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information that required you to use library resources, e.g., books, journals, databases, research services, etc.?20.5% (75)28.4% (104)41.5% (152)9.6% (35)366

4. During the current school year how much reading have you done?
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 None1-45-1011-2020+Rating
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Number of books required by assignments in which you used books from Preston Library27.7% (101)50.7% (185)14.5% (53)3.8% (14)3.3% (12)365
Number of books read for pleasure in which you used books from Preston Library50.3% (176)38.6% (135)9.1% (32)1.4% (5)0.6% (2)350

5. During the current school year how much writing have you done?
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 None1-45-1011-2020+Rating
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Number of written papers or reports of 20+ pages that required using Preston Library books, databases, research help, etc.68.0% (242)23.3% (83)5.9% (21)1.1% (4)1.7% (6)356
Number of written papers or reports of 5-19 pages that required using Preston Library books, databases, research help, etc.31.0% (111)49.7% (178)14.2% (51)3.9% (14)1.1% (4)358
Number of written papers or reports of less than 5 pages that required using Preston Library books, databases, research help, etc.20.8% (74)51.4% (183)19.7% (70)6.7% (24)1.4% (5)356

6. Which of the following have you done or plan to do?
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 Will require no library resourcesWill require library resources, e.g. books, journals, databases, research services, etc.Rating
Count
Research project with a faculty member33.1% (112)66.9% (226)338
Culminating senior experience (capstone course, senior project or thesis, etc.)18.9% (67)81.1% (288)355

7. How often do you do the following?
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 Almost dailyOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a monthOnce or twice a yearNeverRating
Count
Use the library in person20.2% (74)26.0% (95)33.6% (123)15.8% (58)4.4% (16)366
Use library resources from Barracks, lab, etc.12.1% (44)33.2% (121)31.9% (116)13.2% (48)9.6% (35)364
Use library resources from off Post3.6% (13)8.3% (30)17.6% (64)28.4% (103)42.1% (153)363

8. During the current academic year, how often did you use the library to:
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 Very frequentlyFrequentlySometimesRarelyNeverRating
Average		Rating
Count
Do research16.7% (61)20.5% (75)32.8% (120)17.8% (65)12.3% (45)2.89366
Get research help9.3% (34)13.4% (49)31.7% (116)26.2% (96)19.4% (71)3.33366
Study26.2% (96)19.9% (73)26.0% (95)17.8% (65)10.1% (37)2.66366
Read18.9% (69)16.4% (60)23.8% (87)21.6% (79)19.4% (71)3.06366
Check out library materials7.4% (27)13.7% (50)31.7% (116)28.1% (103)19.1% (70)3.38366
Use course reserves4.9% (18)8.7% (32)24.3% (89)26.8% (98)35.2% (129)3.79366
Check email or access the Internet for non-academic use12.6% (46)15.0% (55)23.2% (85)22.1% (81)27.0% (99)3.36366
Socialize8.2% (30)6.8% (25)17.8% (65)25.4% (93)41.8% (153)3.86366
Get away from Barracks15.6% (57)19.4% (71)24.0% (88)15.6% (57)25.4% (93)3.16366
Meet with faculty or tutor4.4% (16)5.7% (21)14.8% (54)22.4% (82)52.7% (193)4.13366
Use Media Services and resources5.2% (19)8.5% (31)20.8% (76)23.8% (87)41.8% (153)3.89366
Use Interlibrary Loan services4.9% (18)6.8% (25)14.5% (53)20.5% (75)53.3% (195)4.10366
Use VMI Archives or rare book collections1.6% (6)3.6% (13)14.8% (54)22.7% (83)57.4% (210)4.31366
Use meeting rooms5.5% (20)12.6% (46)29.0% (106)24.3% (89)28.7% (105)3.58366
Use computers with Word, etc.11.2% (41)14.2% (52)20.8% (76)20.5% (75)33.3% (122)3.51366

9. I do NOT use the library because (check as many as apply):
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Percent		Response
Count
My assignments are met using non-library online resources (e.g. Google, Wikipedia, etc.)
46.2%169
My assignments do not require that I need to consult with a reference librarian.
54.6%200
My assignments do not require that I check out a book.
57.7%211
My assignments do not require that I use library resources.
40.4%148
I socialize in other places.
48.6%178
I study in Barracks.
37.4%137
I study in other academic buildings.
56.8%208
Other (please specify)
[ShowReplies]
11.5%42

10. The following statements ask you to evaluate your research skills.
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 Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeHave too little experience to judgeRating
Average		Rating
Count
I can find library materials effectively through the online catalog.33.6% (123)50.5% (185)4.6% (17)1.1% (4)10.1% (37)2.04366
I can find scholarly articles effectively using the library's online databases.33.9% (124)49.5% (181)4.4% (16)0.8% (3)11.5% (42)2.07366
I can initiate an interlibrary loan request.24.0% (88)32.8% (120)13.1% (48)2.7% (10)27.3% (100)2.77366
I know the difference between reliable and unreliable sources.40.2% (147)49.5% (181)3.6% (13)0.3% (1)6.6% (24)1.84366
I know how to use information to produce a research paper or project that meets the standards of the course.39.6% (145)52.7% (193)3.3% (12)0.3% (1)4.1% (15)1.77366
I know the ethical issues of using information sources, e.g. when to cite sources in a research paper47.3% (173)44.8% (164)3.3% (12)0.5% (2)4.1% (15)1.69366
I know that the library can assist with each of the above tasks.57.4% (210)35.0% (128)2.2% (8)0.5% (2)4.9% (18)1.61366

Page: Evaluate library resources, services, and facilties
11. Please indicate your satisfaction with the following Library hours.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Monday - Thursday: 0800-010074.8% (252)11.9% (40)1.8% (6)0.0% (0)11.6% (39)337
Friday: 0800-230063.2% (213)17.5% (59)3.9% (13)0.0% (0)15.4% (52)337
Saturday: 0800-180046.6% (157)20.5% (69)11.9% (40)5.0% (17)16.0% (54)337
Sunday: 1300-010056.4% (190)13.6% (46)11.0% (37)2.7% (9)16.3% (55)337
Please indicate other hours that you would like the Library to be open.
[ShowReplies]		70

12. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the library's resources.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Average		Rating
Count
Selection of books55.0% (186)26.9% (91)4.1% (14)1.2% (4)12.7% (43)1.90338
Selection of magazines and newspapers41.7% (141)26.9% (91)4.4% (15)0.6% (2)26.3% (89)2.43338
Selection of online resources55.3% (187)24.9% (84)3.0% (10)0.9% (3)16.0% (54)1.97338
Selection of CDs19.5% (66)20.7% (70)7.1% (24)1.8% (6)50.9% (172)3.44338
Selection of DVDs & videos22.8% (77)25.1% (85)8.3% (28)1.8% (6)42.0% (142)3.15338
Usefulness of RefWorks35.5% (120)21.3% (72)2.7% (9)1.2% (4)39.3% (133)2.88338
Usefulness of WebBridge30.8% (104)19.5% (66)4.4% (15)0.6% (2)44.7% (151)3.09338

13. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the library's services.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Average		Rating
Count
Effectiveness of Reference Service52.4% (177)20.7% (70)3.6% (12)0.0% (0)23.4% (79)2.21338
Effectiveness of Library Instruction51.8% (175)24.3% (82)3.0% (10)0.0% (0)21.0% (71)2.14338
Ability to receive books and journal articles through Interlibrary Loan40.8% (138)17.8% (60)1.8% (6)0.0% (0)39.6% (134)2.80338
Ability to borrow materials from W&L33.4% (113)16.3% (55)2.4% (8)0.0% (0)47.9% (162)3.13338
Convenience and usefulness of Reserves and E-Reserves36.1% (122)19.8% (67)1.5% (5)0.0% (0)42.6% (144)2.93338
Availability of library staff66.0% (223)19.5% (66)1.5% (5)0.3% (1)12.7% (43)1.74338
Helpfulness of library staff70.1% (237)16.3% (55)1.8% (6)0.6% (2)11.2% (38)1.67338

14. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with Reference Service hours.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Monday - Friday: 0800-163042.3% (143)18.0% (61)2.4% (8)0.6% (2)36.7% (124)338
Sunday - Thursday: 1900-220042.9% (145)15.1% (51)2.1% (7)0.3% (1)39.6% (134)338
Saturday: None25.8% (86)12.3% (41)10.5% (35)4.2% (14)47.1% (157)333
Please indicate other hours that you would like reference services to be available.
[ShowReplies]		14

15. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the library's facilities.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Average		Rating
Count
Logic and convenience of library's layout54.1% (183)28.7% (97)5.3% (18)2.1% (7)9.8% (33)1.85338
Signage and maps53.8% (182)26.3% (89)4.4% (15)0.6% (2)14.8% (50)1.96338
Materials shelved in their proper places63.6% (215)21.3% (72)1.5% (5)0.3% (1)13.3% (45)1.78338
Availability of public computers51.5% (174)26.3% (89)10.4% (35)2.4% (8)9.5% (32)1.92338
Availability of printers51.5% (174)27.8% (94)7.4% (25)2.7% (9)10.7% (36)1.93338
Reliability of wireless network53.3% (180)24.9% (84)5.9% (20)1.5% (5)14.5% (49)1.99338
Availability of study carrels45.9% (155)26.6% (90)13.9% (47)3.6% (12)10.1% (34)2.05338
Availability of group study rooms41.1% (139)26.9% (91)13.9% (47)5.3% (18)12.7% (43)2.22338
Physical environment: lighting62.4% (211)26.6% (90)2.1% (7)0.3% (1)8.6% (29)1.66338
Physical environment: heating/cooling61.2% (207)26.9% (91)3.0% (10)0.3% (1)8.6% (29)1.68338
Physical environment: noise55.0% (186)28.4% (96)6.2% (21)1.5% (5)8.9% (30)1.81338

16. What do you value most about Preston Library? (Choose all that apply)
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 HighMediumLowRating
Average		Rating
Count
Group study rooms62.5% (202)24.5% (79)13.0% (42)1.50323
Quiet study space83.1% (276)13.0% (43)3.9% (13)1.21332
Individual help from library staff49.8% (165)35.3% (117)14.8% (49)1.65331
Library instruction33.0% (106)40.5% (130)26.5% (85)1.93321
Quality of resources69.1% (228)24.5% (81)6.4% (21)1.37330
Quantity of resources65.6% (217)26.9% (89)7.6% (25)1.42331
Interlibrary Loan38.6% (125)34.9% (113)26.5% (86)1.88324
Coffee during exams60.6% (200)21.2% (70)18.2% (60)1.58330
Media help36.0% (114)37.9% (120)26.2% (83)1.90317
Recreational reading books38.2% (125)35.2% (115)26.6% (87)1.88327
DVDs29.6% (95)38.0% (122)32.4% (104)2.03321
Other (please specify)
[ShowReplies]		10

17. The VMI Archives and Special Collections Department provides access to the Institute's collection of historic official records, manuscripts, photographs, 19th century alumni biographical and genealogical information as well as our rare book collection. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the VMI Archives and its services.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Convenience and adequacy of hours24.9% (83)17.1% (57)2.1% (7)0.9% (3)55.0% (183)333
Availability of Archives staff26.2% (87)16.9% (56)0.9% (3)0.0% (0)56.0% (186)332
Helpfulness of Archives staff24.9% (83)16.2% (54)2.4% (8)0.0% (0)56.5% (188)333
Availability of materials housed in Archives24.3% (81)15.3% (51)3.0% (10)0.0% (0)57.4% (191)333
Ease of use of Archives web site24.3% (81)15.0% (50)2.4% (8)0.6% (2)57.7% (192)333
Physical environment30.3% (100)15.5% (51)0.9% (3)0.6% (2)52.7% (174)330

18. The Media Services department provides assistance and instruction in the use of multi-media tools and equipment for multi-media projects and needs. These include scanning, digital video and sound editing, web page construction, imaging editing, power point presentations, and more. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with Media Services.
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 Very satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedVery dissatisfiedHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Convenience and adequacy of hours25.1% (83)17.8% (59)1.5% (5)0.0% (0)55.6% (184)331
Availability of Media staff25.0% (83)16.3% (54)1.5% (5)0.0% (0)57.2% (190)332
Helpfulness of Media staff25.6% (85)14.8% (49)2.4% (8)0.0% (0)57.2% (190)332
Availability of equipment25.9% (86)17.2% (57)1.2% (4)0.3% (1)55.4% (184)332
Availability of media software23.3% (77)15.4% (51)2.7% (9)0.0% (0)58.6% (194)331
Physical environment of multimedia workstations24.5% (81)16.9% (56)0.9% (3)0.3% (1)57.4% (190)331

Page: Library Changes in Response to Past Surveys
19. The changes below have improved the Library and my ability to use it:
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 Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Expanded library hours on Friday night, Saturday, and during finals66.1% (222)18.5% (62)1.5% (5)0.0% (0)14.0% (47)336
Added new DVDs32.1% (108)25.0% (84)1.5% (5)1.2% (4)40.2% (135)336
Enhanced "Off-Post" or "Remote Access" to improve access to subscription resources when off Post40.2% (134)28.2% (94)3.0% (10)0.3% (1)28.2% (94)333
Added more Recreational Reading books in the Periodical Room30.7% (103)29.0% (97)4.5% (15)1.2% (4)34.6% (116)335
Added IM Reference Service25.2% (84)24.9% (83)4.5% (15)0.6% (2)44.7% (149)333
Provided coffee, hot chocolate, and tea during exams64.0% (215)22.6% (76)0.6% (2)0.3% (1)12.5% (42)336

20. Preston Library has encouraged and supported:
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 Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Reading for general interest or enjoyment41.7% (140)30.4% (102)6.0% (20)1.2% (4)20.8% (70)336
Ability to find reliable information on a topic62.7% (210)26.0% (87)1.2% (4)0.3% (1)9.9% (33)335
Appreciation and enjoyment of learning51.5% (173)31.3% (105)3.3% (11)0.6% (2)13.4% (45)336

Page: Comments and Recommendations
21. I am satisfied with the following:
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 Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeHave too little experience to judgeRating
Count
Library information resources66.4% (221)25.2% (84)0.6% (2)0.9% (3)6.9% (23)333
Library services69.2% (231)23.4% (78)0.3% (1)0.3% (1)6.9% (23)334
Library facilities66.0% (219)27.7% (92)0.9% (3)0.3% (1)5.1% (17)332

22. Please comment on your overall satisfaction with library resources, services, and facilities, and give us ideas of how we can improve.
 answered question145
 
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