Effects of Library Instruction on University Students’ Satisfaction with the Library: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Consideration of satisfaction should be an important part of the evaluation of library services. Satisfaction depends, to some extent, on patron expectations of services. This study evaluated changes in student expectations following library instruction and how they were related to overall, long-term satisfaction with the library. Satisfaction appeared to be related to student perceptions of information accessibility, staff competence and helpfulness, computer usefulness and ease of use, and skill level for using libraries. The study suggests that libraries may be well served by measuring patron satisfaction and learning what variables drive satisfaction at particular libraries.

Information Literacy Skills Training: a Factor in Student Satisfaction With Access to High Demand Material

“…In a study by Stamatoplos and Mackoy it was argued that increased satisfaction with library services was linked to information literacy instruction (Stamatoplos and Mackoy 1998). In another study relating to the issue of reading list materials and multiple copies, the authors suggested that librarians might want to look at other ways of increasing satisfaction with access to these materials than simply buying more copies of titles (Chelin, McEachran et al 2005).…”

Using iPads to Facilitate Library Instruction Sessions in a SCALE-UP Classroom

“…An assistant librarian at the University of Wisconsin, measured a statistically significant increase in GPA of graduating seniors who had library instruction in upper-level (not freshman) courses (Bowles-Terry 2012). In a longitudinal study conducted at Purdue these associated improved skill levels were further related to changes in student expectations that correlated to improved "overall satisfaction with the library," (Stamatoplos and Mackoy 1998), a factor that is thought to be related to "repeat patronage and positive word of mouth" (Stamatoplos and Mackoy 1998). Taken together, these findings indicate that library instruction is contributing not only to institutional educational missions, but also to library patronage.…”

Best methods for evaluating educational impact: a comparison of the efficacy of commonly used measures of library instruction

“…The associated literature described the adoption and practical implications of the ACRL Standards and other IL criteria, as well as subsequent IL tests such as Project SAILS or institution-specific IL tests [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The library literature has also deliberated the educational viability of stand-alone IL tests, IL courses, and IL workshops; curriculum-integrated instruction; the pros and cons of online training; and the like [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. This literature represents the foundations upon which library-based IL education is typically evaluated.…”