Example plan: UT Austin Fine Arts Library
Project purpose
The purpose of evaluating the use patterns of the Fine Arts Library (FAL) is to:
- Determine how current patrons use the FAL.
- Determine the library needs of students, faculty and staff in the College of Fine Arts (CFA).
- Develop ideas for improving the FAL facility, equipment, and services.
- Develop ideas for making the FAL facility more attractive to patrons.
Project uses
The results of this project will be used to make changes to FAL facilities, equipment and services to better serve the needs of CFA students, faculty, and staff.
Project components
The study includes the following components:
- Conducting two focus groups with one group composed of undergraduate students and the other composed of graduate students.
- Conduct systematic counts of patrons in various areas of the FAL at regular intervals for two weeks.
- Conduct ethnographic observations of the FAL and it patrons using data forms, still photography and video.
- Administer a survey of current patrons to document whom currently uses the FAL, how they use it, and obtain feedback on potential new uses.
- Administer a Faculty/Staff Survey to document how Fine Arts faculty and staff currently use the FAL and obtain feedback on potential new uses.
- Compile existing usage data related to FAL services and equipment.
Focus groups will be used to develop ideas for improving the FAL facility, equipment and services and making it more attractive to patrons. Focus group data will also be used to inform the patron and faculty/staff surveys. Systematic counts and ethnographic observation will provide insight into how the facility is currently being used by patrons and will help inform the patron survey. The patron survey will provide more generalizable data on patron use patterns, identify patron needs and assess the viability of potential new uses. The faculty/staff survey will identify use patterns and needs for this group of stakeholders and identify ways to increase use of the FAL by CFA faculty and staff.
Project responsibilities
Laura Schwartz and the FAL staff are responsible for the overall management of the project, the administration of project components, data entry, and the dissemination of results. Miodrag Mitrasinovic will supervise and coordinate the ethnographic observations and present the findings to the FAL staff.
In consultation with Laura Schwartz, Joel Heikes will assist with study design, developing focus group and survey instruments, database development, and data analysis.
| Time period | Task | |
|---|---|---|
2005 |
February |
|
2005 |
March |
|
2005 |
April |
|
View the full report of this study (pdf)
View a report summary with before/after photos (PowerPoint)
