Executive Summary

During the 2006-2007 academic year, librarians at the Congressman Frank J. Guarini Library administered a four-question instrument designed to elicit student self-reports of learning following library instruction. Students were asked to report what they learned during the instruction session, what they liked and did not like about it and were also asked for comments and suggestions.

563 students completed a Minute Survey and reported learning about a variety of resources and services including the library catalog, databases, search strategies, and library policies and procedures. Students reported learning about 28 specific databases, and mentioned specific search strategies including narrowing and broadening a search, using Boolean operators and learning to truncate. Students also mentioned learning how to find article and journals and how to use the library web site to conduct research.

82.8% of students reported liking a variety of aspects of library instruction including learning about library resources, the librarian, session attributes, teaching methods, and learning new skills. Session attributes included student statements about it being clear, easy to understand, easy to follow and well-explained. Students also said the sessions were informative, helpful, thorough and detailed. Many students were appreciative to be given time for hands-on practice following the librarian lecture. Students praised librarians for being helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, approachable, patient and kind.

16% of students reported on aspects of the sessions which they did not like. These included session length (most students felt the session was too long, while some felt it was not long enough), pace (some students felt the session was too quick), limited time for hands-on following lecture, room temperature and information overload.

48% of students made a comment or asked a question. Most of these students had overwhelming praise for the session, the librarian or the library. Students were grateful for getting an opportunity to learn more about library resources and services. Many of them thanked us. Results of this survey point to the importance of library instruction as an adjunct to student learning at New Jersey City University and can guide library planning of future instructional initiatives.

For more information about this survey, please contact:

Library Director
Congressman Frank J. Guarini Library
New Jersey City University
2039 Kennedy Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Telephone: 201-200-3026
Fax: 201-200-2330