SLIS Faculty News

SLIS faculty member, Rachel Applegate, has given presentations at the Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference the past two years, and is scheduled to give another session this fall. The sessions have been on "Simple Surveys - and You have a Stack of Surveys, Now What?" Applegate gave details in a recent email interview:

"The content comes from my Evaluation [SLIS S505] class. Surveys are very common data-gathering tools, especially important not so often for evaluating the library as for, in a sense, evaluating its users: their needs and relations with the library.

Since I think libraries are going to do surveys anyway, and I believe that there are some quite simple tips and tricks that make the process better and easier (for survey respondents and survey analysts), why not share some of these with people who are already in the field?

On the other hand, 50 minutes is not really enough time, so: After the first one, I split off some content into an "Advanced" survey presentation (You have a Stack of Surveys, Now What?) and offered to work with any Indiana library....for free, but only as I have time.

Currently I have worked with Carmel Clay Public Library, Putnam County Public Library, Hancock County Public Library, and Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library (Zionsville). Findings from the survey done by Carmel Clay Public Library will appear shortly in Public Library Quarterly, "Gender Differences in Patrons of a Public Library."

Thinking about the research (generalizable) uses of a local survey, and evaluation (local application) uses, sharpens my teaching of Research and of Evaluation, and gives me yet more examples to use in class."

Applegate's talk complements the theme of the 2008 Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference (November 18-20 in Indianapolis): Libraries Without Walls: Always Here, Virtually There. Evaluating resources and services is important aspect of planning.

ILF Conference Abstract: "As advances in technology continue to rapidly expand and connect the world of people and resources, our patrons depend on libraries to be "always here" for them when they need hands-on materials and services and "virtually there" whenever they seek quality online services and information. As libraries constantly expand beyond the physical space of their buildings, they must continue to be vital institutions for their community of users. By providing physical spaces for social networking, group interaction and community outreach, as well as virtual on-demand services 24/7, our libraries maintain a physical presence, yet can be virtually available to everyone... The ILF Conference will again unite all ILF Associations with an opportunity to join together to share the joys and challenges of our ever evolving roles. Exchanging ideas and connecting across all types of libraries and librarianship will strengthen our individual programs as we learn strategies to keep our libraries an essential and dynamic part of our Indiana physical and virtual communities." [ILF Website]

The Indiana Library Federation (ILF) is the Indiana Chapter of the American Library Association (ALA).

Posted July 24, 2008