You talked, we listened! The Library receives feedback from our users in many different ways: the Library's online suggestion form, various surveys the Library uses throughout the year (including LibQUAL+®), the Faculty Senate Library Committee, regular visits with student ambassadors, and over-the-counter at any point of service in the Library.
Here are some of the ways the Library has responded to what we have heard:
New Services
"As a graduate student I am only able to renew each book a few times. I would prefer to have books for a longer period before they are due." Graduate, Fine & Performing Arts
"I wish there were more quiet AND comfortable places to study alone in the library." Graduate, Humanities
"I feel that adding more computers for student to use would be beneficial." Undergraduate, Business
"Access from home computer through PSU library doesn't always work." Faculty, Sciences
- Longer Library hours
- Improved security
- Longer loan periods
- Quieter quiet study areas
- Customer service training
- Updated inventory of library resources
- 21 new laptops for library instruction
- 8 new computers added to the Library's Research Center on the 2nd floor
- Improved wireless access
- Ask a Librarian virtual reference
- New EZProxy system to make remote access to Library resources even easier
Updated Facilities
"Need better chairs around the tables by the windows. They are hard and uncomfortable. the tables are also too low. I feel like I have to slouch in my hard seat to get down to my book." Undergraduate, Sciences
"...and the chairs at the study tables are AWFUL. The library needs a facelift!" Graduate, Social Work
"The group study rooms are incredibly dirty and ill kept." Undergraduate, Social Sciences
- Practice Presentation Room (more)
- Comfortable new seating in the new books area
- Carpet replaced in the new books area
- Carpet replaced with tile in the first floor hallway
- The student study rooms have been repainted and outfitted with new study tables and comfortable wheeled chairs
- 300 new study chairs with lumbar support for the first and second floors
- More frequent cleaning, with a focus on restroom issues
- Both side doors at main entrance of Library can be opened from outside
New Resources
"Reference search services (Web of Science) are good, but it would be nice if the temporal coverage were increased." Faculty, Sciences
"I would also like access to a broader range of full text articles from scientific journals." Undergraduate, Sciences
"I am in counseling ed and I would like to see more electronic access to psych and counseling journals and international journals." Graduate, Education
"There are a few journals that I would like access to. Energy Policy is one." Graduate, Social Sciences
- Expanded access to Web of Science (more)
- ARTstor (more)
- New Safari e-books collection with over 600 titles (more)
- Access to Institute of Physics journals, including Energy Policy, through IOP Science (1874-2004)
- Over 80 Psychotherapy DVDs and videos (more)
- Increased access to full-text electronic theses and dissertations (more)
Marketing Efforts
"I've recently found out about some of the services offered by the library that I wish I had known about in my first three years. There should be more done to promote tutorial classes and other services the library offers." Undergraduate, Social Sciences
"The library should promote the use of resources and the university should support the library in updating its systems to better suit todays students and users in general." Undergraduate, Sciences