Appendix D2
Focus Group Results
Participants in focus groups consisted of staff from all units in public services. Nine groups of 4-5 people (for a total of 36 participants) were asked to come up with 3 top services we offer in 2003 and at least one service that we dropped/changed in order to free up resources to provide the top services. Results below are listed with number of votes as a top services it received and the number of other times it was mentioned by focus groups. Below are the results:
1. Integrated Catalog
- seamless links to databases, ejournals, ebooks,
- to the article level, TOC level of monographs (anal. series)
- one stop shopping
- could search our web site
- with links to ILB ordering
- enriched subject headings (go past MARC/LC)
- metadata fields -- about subject headings/ authors etc.
(5 top votes, 2 other)
2. Library space should be extraordinary (from mundane to sublime)
- clean
- well furnished / more seating
- group & individual space
- wired
- well maintained stacks & expanded stacks
- excellent signage
- well organized space (easy to use)
- "magnetize" the space
- excellent copying / scanning center
- connected space for eating
(6 top votes, 3 other)
3. Library instruction
- integrated with course instruction on campus
- required course
- electronic tour / interactive web instruction
(3 top votes, 6 other)
Other ideas
- mentor librarian for student thesis prep
- orientation for new student & faculty
- required course (work with IS)
4. User-controlled systems
- Self check-out/ renewals/ holds/ access to records (1 top, 4 other)
- E-reserves (no paper) (2 other)
- ILB (1 other)
- Harvard Card/ BLC Card (1 other)
- debit card for fines (1 other)
5. Delivery of items to office/ desktop
- articles (ILB, RSC and from in library)
- books
- linked to integrated catalog for ordering
- all formats (electronic, paper or mix)
(3 top votes, 3 other)
6. Trained Staff With Expertise
Comments
- knowledgeable
- trained and up-to-date
- active with community
- more professional reference staff on ref desk
(3 top votes, 5 other)
7. Collections
- excellent collections in all forms and formats
- well organized
- well maintained / shelved
- easily accessible
(1 top vote, 5 other)
Other:
- bibliographer model (not separate collections/ reference staff) (2)
- expand e-resources (3)
8. Mobile Staff
- access to systems anywhere
- not tied to a desk (circ or ref)
- more flexible to assist people wherever/ whatever
(2 top votes)
9. Reference Services
** many different ideas of what ref service should be **
Ideas:
- Electronic reference
- Ref in library -- more ref librarian staffing
- Less reference librarian staffing to NO reference desk
- consultations/ by appointment
- replace ref desk with office hrs, OWL, appts & information desk)
- drop traditional model
- point-of-reference instruction
- 24 hr human help
- 24 electronic reference
- merge circ & ref
(7 other -- varied ideas on how to deliver)
10. Outreach
(2 other)
11. Publicity
(1 other)
12. Digitize MIT Publications
(1 other)
13. State-of-the-art equipment
- more computers to provide access to databases and other materials
- printers
(1 top vote, 1 other)
14. Desktop Services/ Remote Access
- Table of Contents Service, etc.
(1 other)
Drop
1. Automate things
- streamlining functions by automating when possible and more efficient
- more self-service functions
- ILB
- drop fiscal inefficiency
(4 top, 1 other)
2. GPO Depository
(1 top, 3 other)
3. Streamline collecting
- Drop book selection -- use fine tuned approval plan (books come shelf-ready) (1 other)
- No Duplication of materials in different formats (? collections matter?) (2other)
(1 top, 3 other)
4. Paper reserves (including books)
(1 top)
5. No Duplication of Services across libraries
- e.g., no local ILB -- make ILB work better
(2 other)
6. Fewer/ No hrs of ref
Ideas:
- fewer ref hrs -- do at peak times (1 other)
- no ref desks (ref focus on e-ref and consultations) (1 other)
- no ref librarians (1 other)
- no phone reference (1 other)
(4 other)
7. Streamline web authoring
(1 other)
8. Streamline serials in catalog
- possible interpretation -- centralize/ streamline serial check-in??
(1 other)
9. Bookpage
(1 other)
10. Outsource guide production
(1 other)
11. Close RSC (Books, Archives, & MSS Collections to HD)
(1 other)
12. Close to outsiders (except Archives)
(1 other)
13. Outsource Tech Services (connected w Book Selection Drop)
(1 other)
14. Decrease number of physical locations
- merge Science and Barker was a suggestion
(1 other)
15. Drop UN Docs
(1 other)
16. Statistics Keeping
(1 other)
17. Gifts (streamline or get rid of)
(4 other)
Other issues/ideas:
- remove long physical journal runs (especially in Hayden)
- open to Cambridge community & involved in the community
- distance learning
- End record management custodial service
- center for history of Science and Technology
- work with IS to develop systems
- use statistics should be reported to community
- staff assist MIT community in organizing their files, papers, libraries
- reduce/erase distinctions between tech & public services & archives
- sufficient staff to provide basic services
Service Priorities Task Force
MIT Libraries
June 1998
priorities-lib@mit.edu