April 2 Student Focus Group Session

Focus group student session – 04/02/2008
2 students present

How do you use the library?
- working (library work study)
- hold study sessions for class (Soc. TA)
- general studying
- use the computers (programs not on own computer, faster, printing, etc.)

How do you see your information needs changing?
- database use increases over course of college career
- more interest in learning to use SmartBoards, other technology earlier in college career



What will you need from the library/instructional technology in the next 5 years?
- integrate some sort of library component into Freshman Experience course, so that students have a better idea of what is available to them in the library
- instruction on how to use technology (digital cameras), transfer files, create projects/presentations integrating technology

(discussion about finding ways to better integrate library and instructional services into the curriculum; students would welcome more information about what is available to them)

What new technology would you like to see incorporated into the library/instructional technology?
- touch screen computers are cool
- IM/chat services sound cool, but don’t know that much about it

(students not sure what technology is out there, but are very open to trying new things that might be fun or useful)

What do you like most/least?
- noise is a real problem, can be too noisy to study effectively
- would like to see the cell phone ban back in place
- noisy student assistants make it hard to approach them to quiet other patrons
- football study table is a problem – noisy, not studying, cell phones going off, very disruptive
- too many competing activities in one building – socializing interferes with quiet study, but quiet study doesn’t interfere with socializing, so socializing wins
- comment made was “is it a library or student center? It can’t be both”

- “I like the librarians”!
- The staff is really helpful and accessible
- Leisure reading collection is great
- The emails are fun

Do you have any advice for us?
- comment was made that other students have said the librarians are rude/mean.