2011 Undergraduate Survey

Results

Survey report (PDF)

What is the 2011 Undergraduate Survey?

The 2011 Undergraduate Survey, which ran from February 8-22, 2011, continued the University of Chicago Library’s annual survey program which targets, on a rotating basis, graduate students, faculty, and undergraduates.

What does the survey cover?

The 22-question Survey Report, designed by the Assessment Project Team and based on similar surveys run by MIT and the University of Washington, covered:

  • Demographic information: division/school, year at the University
  • Collections: importance, satisfaction, comments/suggestions
  • Spaces/activities: primary library, library satisfaction, frequency of visits (physical/remote) , comments/suggestions, activities when visiting library, all-night study spaces
  • Library website usage
  • Existing services: usage, satisfaction, comments/suggestions
  • New services: importance of services presented as options, top pick, comments/suggestions
  • Contribution to academic success, overall satisfaction

Who took the survey?

  • 1,352 students completed the survey, yielding an 26% response rate
  • For those identifying with specific division, 30% selected biological or physical sciences, 20% selected humanities, 37% selected social sciences, and 3% selected New Collegiate Division.
  • Approximately 31% of respondents said that they were first years; 23% were second years, 22% were third years, and 24% were 4th years or beyond.

What are the 2011 survey results?

Results include (see the Survey Report for detailed analysis):

  • Between 80% and 90% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the Library overall
  • 2% reported visiting the Library at least weekly (and 45% said they visited almost daily)
  • 80% said they study alone on at least half of their visits
  • 30% reported using the Regenstein all night study space at least monthly
  • 3 out of 4 respondents said that the Library has made a major contribution to their ability to achieve academic success and their ability to make efficient use of their time
  • 65% rate electronic journals and magazines as either very important or important to their current research and study
  • Over 1,100 coded comments in response to the 6 open-ended questions highlight the reliance on electronic access and collections and the importance to many of the Library as work space.

Assessment Project Team members: Beth Bidlack, Bibliographer for Religion and Philosophy; David Bietila, Web Program Director; David Larsen, Head of Access Services and Assessment: Tod Olson, Systems Librarian; Margaret Schilt, D'Angelo Law Library Faculty Services Librarian; Andrea Twiss-Brooks, Co-Director, John Crerar Library