Rate your Library Survey

LibQUAL+ is a web-based survey that assesses user satisfaction. LIBQUAL+ enables PASSHE libraries to obtain longitudinal data for assessment purposes. Shippensburg University Library will use these survey results to help improve libraries services, change organizational culture, and outreach.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Incomplete surveys will be removed from the survey pool. You can stop participating at any time.

By completing this survey, you are indicating:

1)  That you have read the informed consent below and are providing your consent to participate in this research study.

2)  You are at least 18 years of age.

Please click on the following appropriate link to participate or to exit this website.

• I have reached my 18th birthday and would like to participate in this survey.

  LibQUAL Survey 

• I have not yet reached my 18th birthday and will not participate in this survey.

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Information about LIBQUAL+

Primary researcher: Josefine Smith, Associate Professor and Librarian University affiliation and title:  Shippensburg University LIBQUAL + is a web-based survey bundled with training that assesses user satisfaction. This survey has repeatedly been given to the patrons of thousands of university libraries nationwide. PASSHE university libraries universities have been distributing this survey every 3 years since 2006 your feedback ever since.

Purpose of the research/study:

Shippensburg university library primarily uses the survey results to help improve libraries services, change organizational culture, and outreach. This survey also gives library users the opportunity to share service problem areas which can then be addressed.

In addition, LIBQUAL+ enables PASSHE libraries to obtain longitudinal data for assessment purposes. This is a nationally normed survey, and several PASSHE libraries will be distributing the survey this semester. Data gained from this survey will be able to be studied in the context of the national data as well as PASSHE data.

Procedure:

The survey has two versions, an abridged list of 8 questions and a full version of 22 questions. Using random sampling, 75% of participants will answer the 8-question lite survey that is pulled from the original 22 questions, and 25% will answer the full 22-question survey. At the end there will be a space for text, and the option to be entered into a prize drawing. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, and your response will be greatly appreciated.

As soon as we receive your responses, your e-mail addresses will be separated from your responses. No names or other identifying information will be attached to your responses. Your responses will be kept in the strictest confidence and will be available only to the researchers. You may skip any question that you do not wish to answer. Incomplete surveys will be removed from the survey pool. You may choose not to participate or withdraw at any time without penalty.

RISKS
There are no known risks associated with this study. There may be risks that we cannot predict.

BENEFITS TO TAKING PART IN THE STUDY?
There are no known direct benefits to the subjects of this study. Results will be used to improve library services, and our support of student success.

CONFIDENTIALITY

We will take the following steps to keep information about you confidential, and to protect it from unauthorized disclosure, tampering, or damage:

• This survey is managed by LibQual. The LibQUAL survey is anonymous. The survey collects information on users' perceptions of library service quality. Because this is a web-based survey, respondents consent to participate by electing to fill out the survey questionnaire. Survey data is stored on secure servers located at a private hosting facility. Access to the data is limited to ARL staff and authorized staff of the participating institution. Data is stored indefinitely. IP addresses will be removed from raw data.
• After completion, the primary researcher, Josefine Smith and Shippensburg University’s Library will have access to the data and records. The data will be described in comparison to other data points or through statistical interpretations if published or shared with others. The data will be aggregated into one data collection and demographic information will be linked to survey data using a coded system. At no point during the study will personally identifying information (such as names, birth dates, or addresses) be collected. Participants have the option to submit their email for prizes, which is recorded separately from their survey responses. Aggregated data will be stored on campus computers and drives, which require a password for getting onto the system. have a security login feature enabled and the computer must automatically require a new login after being idle for more than five minutes. Office computers with access to the data will have a security login feature enabled and the computer must automatically require a new login after being idle for more than five minutes.

INCENTIVES
For participants completing the survey at the library in person, cookies and small completion prizes will be given to increase participation. Additionally, all participants will be entered to win larger prizes, and will be selected randomly after the survey is closed.

RIGHTS AS A RESEARCH PARTICIPANT
Participation in this study is voluntary. You have the right not to participate at all or to leave the study at any time. Deciding not to participate or choosing to leave the study will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled, and it will not harm your relationship with Shippensburg University’s Library. If you wish to withdraw from the study, let the primary investigator (Josefine Smith) know and your focus group responses will be removed from the pool.

CONTACT FOR QUESTONS OR PROBLEMS
Call Josefine Smith at 717-477-1634 or email at jmsmith@ship.edu if you have questions about the study. Contact Shippensburg University’s IRB committee, Committee on Research with Human Subjects (irb@ship.edu) or the chair, Todd Whitman (tkwhit@ship.edu) with any problems, unexpected physical or psychological discomforts, or think that something unusual or unexpected is happening.