Measuring patrons' technology habits: an evidence-based approach to tailoring library services.

Jin Wu,Megan Curran Rosenbloom,Annie M Hughes,Lynn Kysh,Amy J Chatfield

doi:10.3163/1536-5050.102.2.014

Abstract

Librarians continually integrate new technologies into library services for health sciences students. Recently published data are lacking about student ownership of technological devices, awareness of new technologies, and interest in using devices and technologies to interact with the library. A survey was implemented at seven health sciences libraries to help answer these questions. Results show that librarian assumptions about awareness of technologies are not supported, and student interest in using new technologies to interact with the library varies widely. Collecting this evidence provides useful information for successfully integrating technologies into library services.

Highlights

Health sciences students enter programs with a variety of devices as well as varying levels of knowledge of software
The survey was submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at University of Southern California (USC), and the board concluded that the research was exempt from IRB review
Students were advised that the survey was entirely anonymous and optional, and intended to provide USC Health Sciences Libraries (HSL) with information to tailor library services to current student interests

Summary

Introduction

Health sciences students enter programs with a variety of devices (laptops, tablets, and smartphones) as well as varying levels of knowledge of software. Academic medical libraries that serve students invest in new devices, software, and technology, and devote staff time to projects involving these tools [1–5]. Not all of these projects succeeded as planned, so librarians turned to the literature for guidance. Library literature provides data about patron ownership of devices and operating systems [6–10] and patron interest in new software and technologies [11–16]. No articles simultaneously address what seem to be the three critical facets for designing student-focused library technology projects: device ownership, awareness of software and technology, and willingness to use devices and software to interact with the library. Health sciences librarians require current data to use in making evidence-based decisions when considering projects using new technologies

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion