Future of the Libraries Committee – Lib
Minutes – January 6,13,and 20, 2015
Room 800BB
Minutes - January 6, 2015
A. Focus Groups
1. How many will we have?
2. Where will they be located?
3. Who will lead them?
B. Review of Holling’s questions for student focus groups
1. Mix of broad and specific
2. Be open to spontaneity of offerings
3. Students think of their school (divisional) libraries primarily. They see divisional
libraries as part of the school rather than part of the library system.
4. Students tend to see the library as a building and usually don’t consider all of the services
provided through the library system (web site, inter-library loan, etc.).
C. Groupings and leaders for focus groups
1. 1st and 2nd year doctoral students – list from the Registrar’s Office (Nancy and Lindsey)
2. New and Junior Faculty – list from the CFT (Hilary & Cliff)
3. Undergraduates – invitation through VSG newsletter and InnerVU (Holling, Jake, and Pam)
4. Library Staff – (Rick and Julie)
5. Invite Laura Walaszek to the next meeting (Jan. 13) to provide some instruction re: setting up
and managing focus groups.
D. Will we use LibQual results with focus group information? Yes. The last LibQual survey was done in
2012. The most positive remarks were about staff and the most negative remarks were from faculty
about deficiencies in access to materials and collections.
1. The next one is due to be administered in 2015 after this FoL report is submitted.
E. Should we consider library studies from other schools? Schools differ in library space and resource
provisioning. We need to focus on what resources we have at VU and what our unique vision for the
Library System will be.
F. Bill Hook said he will start meeting regularly with Jim Hudnut-Beumler and Sandy Stahl to consider
management of information collected and the configuration of the final report. Jacob’s draft outline
is an excellent starting point and has been shared with Jim H-B.
Minutes – January 13, 2015
A. Presentation – Laura Walaszek – about using focus groups to gather information.
Her Power Point presentation is posted on the FoL – Lib sharepoint site and was circulated via email.
It contains guidelines for formulating questions and advice for configuring focus groups.
Laura cited Holling’s questions as having a good format and meeting the guidelines.
Minutes – January 20, 2015
A. Discussion centered on the formation and management of focus groups.
1. Rick and Julie have created questions and a written survey instrument to capture
demographic information. They have facilitators and notetakers.
2. Nancy and Lindsey are developing questions for the graduate students and will make
arrangements for date,time, and place for the meetings. Sandy will send out the invitation,
but RSVP or sign ups will go to Nancy and Lindsey.
3. Holling, Jake, and Pam will pick places times and dates. Sign ups with Holling. Invitation to
participate in the focus groups will be delivered via VSG newsletter and InnerVU.
4. Hilary and Cliff will conduct focus groups with new and junior faculty on Feb. 9, 10, and 11.
He will set up a doodle poll with Cliff’s name on it. Sandy will create the invitation.
5. Hilary and Bill will meet with the Deans for open conversations about the Library.
a. Hilary has already spoken with the Owen Dean.
b. Larry will speak with the Law School Dean.
c. Holling is arranging to speak with the Blair Dean.
d. Bill will speak with the Divinity Dean.
6. Nancy Dwyer will be asked to arrange for drinks and refreshments for the focus groups.
7. Peabody has Smart Pens that are available for check out.
B. Next meeting: February 3 @ 8:30 a.m. in 800BB
1. Look at LibQual data. 4 sequences of data exist.
2. Jacob’s Draft outline for the final report.
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