LSU Libraries will be sending out a random survey via e-mail today to 4,000 faculty, staff and students.
The survey will focus on people’s perception of the library, said Tom Diamond, associate dean of technical services.
Recipients have until May to complete the online survey, Diamond said.
Willing recipients’ names will be entered into a drawing sponsored by the library to give away three $200 gift certificates to Barnes and Noble Bookstore — one each to an undergraduate, graduate student and faculty member, he said.
In addition, participants can take part in a drawing sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries giving away one personal digital assistant, Diamond said.
A PDA can hold a list of names, e-mail addresses, calculator and calendar.
There will be no identifying information associated with the responses or participation in the survey or the drawing, he said.
The e-mail notifying the selected people will contain a link to a Web site where recipients can complete the survey.
“We want to get a feel for how individuals view services offered by the library and try to change things,” Diamond said.
The survey will identify areas where the library can make improvements and identify the strengths in the services it provides. It also will give the LSU community an opportunity to participate in a process providing feedback, he said.
This way the library can get more involved in events around campus like Fall Fest and the freshman information fairs, Diamond said.
He said the library wants to reach out to the campus and get feedback from students.
Consuella Askew, an ARL program specialist, said the information is going to be a “temperature gauge” to see what the library’s user services provide.
There are 314 libraries across the country and 21 from the United Kingdom participating in the research survey, Askew said.
This is the fourth year of the research and development project, she said.