For immediate release:
September 22, 2009
For more information, contact:
David Green
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
david@arl.org
Washington DC—2010 marks the launching of a new and improved platform that offers a major enhancement to the protocol, a feature called "LibQUAL+® Lite." LibQUAL+® Lite is a shorter version of the survey that takes less time to fill in.
The Lite protocol uses item sampling methods to (a) gather data on all 22 LibQUAL+® core items, while (b) only requiring the user to respond to a subset of the 22 core questions. The mechanics of item sampling strategy and results from pilot testing are described in a recent refereed journal article: http://www.libqual.org/documents/admin/pmm10-1_LQlite.pdf.
We also have a new fee structure with two important features. First, we are freezing the standard base fee for the LibQUAL+® survey implementation. Second, we are implementing a fee structure that will offer the LibQUAL+® survey for less on an annual and biennial basis. The pricing rewards periodic, structured participation, and encourages libraries to make participation decisions strategically, rather than on an ad hoc, one-time basis. The new fee structure will be "back-end loaded" meaning that fees in subsequent years will be reduced in recognition of participation on a scheduled periodic basis.
Registration for LibQUAL+® 2010 is now open. To register, visit http://www.libqual.org. For a modest participation fee of $3,200 you will receive access to a rich array of assessment resources, free training, timely delivery of your survey results, and a new website available in January 2010.
Free training activities will be offered on Monday, January 18, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts, in conjunction with the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting:
To register, visit http://www.libqual.org/events.
LibQUAL+® is a suite of services that libraries use to solicit, track, understand, and act upon users' opinions of service quality. These services are offered to the library community by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The program's centerpiece is a rigorously tested Web-based survey bundled with training that helps libraries assess and improve library services, change organizational culture, and market the library. LibQUAL+® is located on the Web at http://www.libqual.org/.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.