UPDATED: Senate and Federation Library Survey: Last week to respond

by Dave Jones
November 12, 2014

By University Library

This week, the University Library wraps up an important study of the information needs of Academic Senate faculty, Academic Federation personnel and post-doctoral researchers.

The survey remains open through 5 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 15). See below for how to complete the survey, if you have not yet submitted your response.

Analysis and wide distribution of survey findings are central to the library’s long-range planning and will guide the provision of information resources and services to current and future UC Davis researchers and scholars.

“The library doesn't do surveys like this very often, given the size of our clientele, so I hope that everyone will take the time to complete it and encourage their colleagues to do the same.” University Librarian MacKenzie Smith said.

“We’d love to see a very high response rate to this survey across all faculty and researchers at UC Davis — every voice is important. The results of this study, along with a student survey we did last year, will help guide how the University Library prioritizes its support of the UC Davis community going forward.”

The survey is an important component in implementing the library’s new strategic plan. The findings represent just one aspect of the library's engagement with the UC Davis community, and together with the priorities and goals outlined in the strategic plan, will help guide decision-making and investments in the coming years.

Faculty and researchers who participate in the survey ensure their needs and concerns are made known to the library. Indeed, the library has heard from people who have taken the survey, indicating they welcome the library’s effort to get faculty input, are pleased to discover that the library is actively exploring ways to help researchers manage data and provide other services, and recognize education is a crucial aspect of the library’s mission.

Response rate so far

Survey response as of this morning (Nov. 12) stood at 23.5 percent overall. Departmental response rates within the colleges and schools ranged as follows:

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences — 13 percent to 40 percent
College of Biological Sciences — 20 percent to 43 percent
College of Engineering — 15 percent to 34 percent
College of Letters and Science — 0 percent to 73 percent
Professional schools (education, law, management, medicine, nursing, and veterinary medicine) — 15 percent to 24 percent

Although these provisional results show a good level of participation across the university in aggregate, a number of departments still have comparatively low response rates. It is important that all units be equitably represented — so please take 20 minutes to respond to reminders to complete the survey.

How to take the survey

Emails from William Garrity, deputy university librarian, are going out this week to people who have not yet completed the survey. Each email includes an individualized link to the survey; click on the link and complete the survey when you get the email.