Distance Education Electronic Reserves Services

Abstract

Information and Library Services (ILS) at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) conducted an electronic survey of faculty attitude concerning Electronic Reserves in fall 2003. The survey was distributed to faculty in each of University of Maryland University College's three geographic divisions: Stateside (i.e., United States), Europe and Asia. The purpose of the survey was to identify the faculty's expectations and perceptions of the electronic reserves service offered by Information and Library Services. There was no significant relationship between a faculty member's geographic division, discipline, experience level or means of connecting to the Internet and their use of the electronic reserves service. The ratings of the service were positive, however just under half of the respondents had never used the service, indicating a need to increase the faculty's awareness of it. Several methods of promoting the service were recommended as a result of the survey.