National Student Survey 2022
85.61% of you responded YES to Q.19 of the NSS, which asked ‘The library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) have supported my learning well.’ This is an increase from last year’s response of 80.07%.
As well as answering Q.19, many of you also left feedback relating to the library in the open comments section of the NSS. It is helpful for us to analyse this feedback to recognise what areas we are delivering in and identify areas where we can do better.
What do you like about the library?
‘A safe haven.’
Many of you had positive experiences of the library that you wanted to share with us.
Word cloud composed of positive comments from the NSS
You were particularly happy with the Library and Learning Centre’s range of resources, helpful staff, great facilities, and multi-functional use of space. You viewed the library as a welcoming place, which inspired you in your studies and provided you with the learning materials you needed to excel.
What do you think we can improve?
We love to hear positive feedback, but it’s important that we listen to all comments. This allows us to take action to continually improve our services. The main themes that emerged from your comments were:
You want lots of choice in study space
We have three study zones available in our libraries. These zones are silent study, quiet study, and group study. We operate a flexible policy which allows us to vary study zones in response to peak periods throughout the term.
In the Main Library, we offer five bookable group study rooms, as well as presentation pods and collaborative booths. Study areas have charging points for laptops and portable devices. We also have IT suites, networked computers, and WiFi throughout our four libraries. You can read more about our libraries and study spaces on our website.
New for this academic year, we are introducing individual study pods to the library. These bookable pods will offer more choice in study space.
You want ease of access to electronic resources
We offer advice and support on how to access a range of electronic resources. Via our 24/7 chat service, we can always provide guidance at point of need. We have a series of online guides on how to access eBooks, databases, and online journal articles. The library also has a Find It service. This is a research tool which can speed up access to electronic resources.
During term time, the Academic Librarian team run lots of training sessions for different subject areas on how to find and access online resources.
You want to borrow laptops in the library
We listened to your comments about wanting to be able to borrow laptops in the library. Next year, laptops will be available to loan from the Main Library. Additionally, IT services installed laptop lockers in the Kirkaldy campus in summer 2022.
You wanted access to the library resources and services during national lockdown
We recognise that the national lockdown in response to Covid-19 had a serious impact on your experience of the library facilities and resources. During lockdown, we allocated additional budget to grow our collection of electronic resources so that you could access materials at home. We have continued to invest in new online resources. For example, we recently added Kanopy, a repository of video content, to our collection. Throughout lockdown, we sought ways to meet the needs of staff and students. We offered postal delivery services for books where possible and delivered online ‘library in your living room’ workshops to help you build confidence in information and digital literacy skills.
We have worked in line with government policy to ensure the safe reopening of our campus libraries. We have now returned to full opening hours and are offering tours of the main library for the first six weeks of term to introduce all students to the library facilities.
Your Library, Your Say. Do you have anything else you want to tell us?
The NSS is just one of many ways that we listen to you. Alongside targeted consultation events and surveys, we have various ways to get in touch. For general feedback, we have an online form where you can share any comments that you have. We also welcome resource recommendations. You can use our More Books service to suggest titles that you would like to see added to our collection.
National Student Survey 2020
National Student Survey 2020
Question 19 of the National Student Survey (NSS) asks
The library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) have supported my learning well.
In 2020, you scored UoD Library and Learning Centre at 91.2%, placing us 2nd in Scotland.
You like our
Staff - helpful and supportive
Environment - variety of study spaces
We could improve
Resources – up-to-date texts
*** Did you know about our morebooks recommendation service? ***
If you need a book for your studies, course work, dissertation, or exams which the Library doesn't have, or if you think an extra copy, later edition or eBook would be helpful, please let us know by email morebooks@dundee.ac.uk
In addition, colleagues from the LLCCI Digital Skills and Resources team work closely with our Academics in creating, updating and maintaining Resource Lists for each module throughout the Academic year. The benefits for students
- Easy access to resources relevant to modules. Resources are rated essential, recommended, further reading.
- Resource Lists are integrated with MyDundee modules and learning materials.
Computers - software
***Apps Anywhere ***
Our colleagues from UoD IT provide the computers and software on the PCs in the library. AppsAnywhere (available on the desktop) allows you to stream the software you need on any PC. Contact UoD IT for help and assistance - help4u@dundee.ac.uk
National Student Survey 2019
You have ranked us 1st in Scotland for library resources in this year's survey, with a score of 93% satisfaction.
Our Actions
Computers and Software
*** Coming soon to the Main Library, 20 borrowable laptops. ***
Our colleagues from UoD IT provide the computers and software on the PCs in the library. AppsAnywhere (available on the desktop) allows you to stream the software you need on any PC. Contact UoD IT for help and assistance - help4u@dundee.ac.uk
Resources
*** Did you know about our morebooks recommendation service? ***
If you need a book for your studies, course work, dissertation or exams which the Library doesn't have, or if you think an extra copy, later edition or eBook would be helpful, please let us know by email morebooks@dundee.ac.uk
Space
*** The Main Library has variable study areas. ***
These change designation during the Semester for the revision and exam period. Let us know if you think we should change these earlier. Use our 'Have your Say' feedback form for this or any other comments or suggestions about your library.
National Student Survey 2018
You have ranked us 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for library resources in this year's survey, with a score of 92% satisfaction to question 19 "The library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) have supported my learning well."
