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Odum Library Blog

Odum Library Blog

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Learn, Study, Discover

Closed Memorial Day

by Laura Wright on May 28, 2010 in Odum Library

The Library will be closing at midnight on Sunday, May 30, 2010 and will reopen Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 8:00 AM for the Memorial Day Holiday.

Odum Library hours this weekend:

  • Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Sunday noon – midnight
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday normal hours, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

(Almost) Daily Photo

by Laura Wright on May 27, 2010 in (Almost) Daily Photo

Spring 2010 Reference Services Satisfaction Survey

by Jeffrey Gallant on May 21, 2010 in Odum Library

Over the past month, we have been collecting and analyzing data from our Spring 2010 Reference Services Satisfaction Survey.

The statements on this survey are the same ones we asked in the previous three surveys, and Reference Services users rated us on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being “strongly disagree”, 5 being “strongly agree”).   The four statements are:

  1. I got the information I needed.
  2. I have a better understanding of how to find information.
  3. I have a better understanding of how to evaluate information.
  4. I am satisfied with the service I received.

The survey results showed that users were once again very satisfied with their experience!

User1

User comments were all very positive, and included:

  • The librarian who assisted me was very nice.
  • Very helpful with finding info that I would not have been able to obtain myself.
  • I received great assistance.  I was able to receive information on a topic that I really wanted to research, when I thouht there wasn’t any information out there.
  • The help was efficient and led to some great sources.
  • Thank you!! (smiley face)

31 out of 32 users that responded were undergraduate students, and one user responded as “other.”

We also evaluated ourselves on our interactions at the Reference Desk:

provider1

The data shows that we are mostly satisfied with how we help you overall (statement 4).

From the results for question 3, the data shows that many of us wish we had more time at the desk with users to help them evaluate the information they find.  Determining the value and quality of information you find is extremely important, and librarians are ready and willing to help you bring up those evaluation skills!  Please ask us if you need help with this.

75% of the provider surveys were completed by librarians, 18.75% by peer reference counselors, and 6.25% by interns.

Here is a user satisfaction summary of the past two school years, from Fall 2008 to Spring 2010:

User2

This year’s user satisfaction ranks as the 2nd highest on the list, and all four surveys had very positive results, never dropping below an average score of 4.

We are always looking for new ways to improve our service here at Odum Reference, and we’re also looking into improving how we evaluate our service.  Please post a comment on the blog or Facebook if you have any ideas of how we could either serve you better or find out more about how we’re doing!

"The Joke's on You, Narrow-Minded Cur!"

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on May 21, 2010 in Odum Library

brontes

. . . We are women!

Brontë fans will enjoy this short film featuring action figures based on the Brontë sisters, from Phil Lord and Chris Miller of FineMustaches.

You may be inspired to peruse

The Cambridge Companion to the Brontës

A Brontë Encyclopedia (online – Blazenet username and password required)

or some of our more vintage books about the Brontës:

The Brontës’ Web of Childhood (Fannie Ratchford, 1964)

The Brontës (Phyllis Eleanor Bentley, 1947)

The Brontës, Charlotte and Emily (Laura L. Hinkley, 1945)

Derby Day and Other Adventures (Edward Newton, 1934 – the last two chapters are about visiting Haworth and “Brontë country”)

The Young Brontes, Charlotte and Emily, Branwell and Anne (Mary Louise Jarden, 1938 – a chapter book for younger readers)

Study Spaces & Construction

by Laura Wright on May 19, 2010 in (Almost) Daily Photo

Odum Library has many comfortable, quiet study spaces suitable for working alone or in groups. The construction noise from the first floor renovation cannot be heard from the other side of the library.

There are cushy chairs, tables, and carrels around the atrium in the addition.

The second floor has comfy chairs near the GALILEO computer area.

There are study tables behind the oversized book shelves.

On the third floor, at the top of the stairs, you will find study tables…

and around the corner is a nice reading and study area.

We apologize for the unavoidable construction noise generated by the first floor renovation. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

(Almost) Daily Photo

by Laura Wright on May 14, 2010 in (Almost) Daily Photo

Need SPSS?

Computers with SPSS are located in the Third Floor Computer Lab, Room 3250. The Third Floor Computer Lab is located near the stairs in the addition.

Computers with SPSS are clearly labeled (even though my photo is out of focus). Not all the computers in the lab have SPSS.

Congratulations to Rachel Wayne, winner of the jump drive!

by Sherrida Crawford on May 6, 2010 in Odum Library

Rachel Wayne, a Spring 2010 graduate with a major in Anthropology and

minor in Theater is the winner of the jump drive, as selected at random

from the over 100 entrants that completed the library web site survey.

The Library would like to say a big thank you to everyone who completed

the survey.  The survey results let us know what visitors like and

dislike about the library’s web site.  On the positive side, it appears

that the web site changes made over the past couple of years as informed

by the previous survey, usability studies, and focus groups, have been

well received.  On the other hand, there are still areas that need to be

improved.

In meeting with Rachel to present the jump drive, she was asked what she

liked about the library. (Remember the web site survey was anonymous.)

Rachel responded that she thought the building was ‘beautiful’.   She

did use the bound journals and “JSTOR” was her favorite electronic

resource. With graduation day just around the corner, we wish Rachel the

best of success in finding a job, preferably in ‘film production’.

Rachel Wayne

(Almost) Daily Photo

by Laura Wright on May 6, 2010 in (Almost) Daily Photo

Relax with a good book! Browsing books are located on the second floor, on the wall outside the copy room. We have lots of fun, popular reading titles.

Finding Online Journal Titles

by Laura Wright on May 4, 2010 in Odum Library

ETA: The problem has been fixed and the Journals Tab is working again.

The Journals Tab on the library home page is broken. We will repair it as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you can access our online journals through GALILEO.

  1. Go to the library home page
  2. Login to Anywhere Access if you are off Campus
  3. Click the big blue GALILEO button on the library home page
  4. Click on Journals A-Z (in the yellow bar)
  5. Type the journal title you are looking for into the search box
  6. Click on the title of the journal

Library Hours Tuesday, May 4th

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on May 3, 2010 in Odum Library

Odum Library will be open regular hours on Tuesday, May 4th.

Our Reference Desk will be staffed from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.