RUNNING HEAD: NEEDS ASSESSMENT

LIS 650 Assignment 2 Needs Assessment of Jackson Library

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Team 5 Megan P. Bennett, Jennifer C. Earwood, Marla M. Means, Sara R. Rodgers, and
Kathleen J. Woerner.
The twenty-sixth of April, two thousand and fifteen

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Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary.............................................................................5
a. General Process......................................................................................................5
b. Major Findings.......................................................................................................5

II. Introduction....................................................................................................7
a. Jackson Library: where is it and who does it serve?............7
b. Services Offered by Jackson Library.................................................7
c. Mission Statement, Values, and Goals of Jackson
Library.................................................................................................................................8

III. Methods and Methodology..............................................10

a. Methodology............................................................................................................10

IV. Results of Needs Assessment...........................................18

a. Analyzed Results..................................................................................................18
b. Graphed and Analyzed Results.............................................................21
1: What is your major?.................................................................................................21
2: Are You A Resident of UNCG?.............................................................................22
3: How Often Are You In The Library After Midnight?..................................23
4: Are They Any Other Hours You Are Usually In The Library? ...............24
5: Resources Used After Midnight?..........................................................................25
6: Were You Only In The Library To Use The Superlab?................................26
7: Did You Know That The Services Above (See Question 5) Were
Available?..........................................................................................................................27
8: Which Of The Following Services Were You Unaware Of Until This
Survey?...............................................................................................................................28

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9: Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight? ...........................................29

10: Are There Any Other Services You Think Jackson Library Should
Offer?..................................................................................................................................30
11: Is There Anything Else That You Think Jackson Library Should
Know?.................................................................................................................................30

V. Conclusions and Recommendations.....................31

a. Conclusions..............................................................................................................31
b. Recommendations..............................................................................................34

VI. Strengths and Weaknesses of Needs

Assessment................................................................................................................36
a. Our teams overall experience, working with the library,
obstacles, and general lessons learned ..................................................36

VII. Works Cited Page..........................................................................38

VIII. Appendixes.............................................................................................40
A. Survey Questions...............................................................................................40
B: My Results (01 April 2015) ......................................................................42
C: Graphs and Raw Data..................................................................................46
Question 1: What Is Your Major?..........................................................................................46
Question 2: Are You A Resident of UNCG?..........................................................................47
Question 3: How Often Are You In The Library After Midnight?........................................47
Question 4: Are They Any Other Hours You Are Usually In The Library?...........................48
Question 5: Resources Used After Midnight?.......................................................................49
Question 6: Were You Only In The Library To Use The Superlab?......................................50
Question 7: Did You Know That The Services Above Were Available?...............................50
Question 8: Which Of The Following Services Were You Unaware Of Until This Survey? 51

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Question 9: Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight?.................................................52
Question 10: Any Other Services?.........................................................................................53
Question 11: Any Other Questions?......................................................................................53

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I. Executive Summary
a. General Process
For our needs assessment, our group talked to Jackson Library, the academic library
attached to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). After a brief email
conversation and a short interview, our group learned that Jackson Library wanted more
information on the patrons who use the library services after midnight. Jackson Library is open
24 hours a day, 5 days a week, but there was limited data about the needs of those patrons.
We put together a Qualtrics survey, which asked 11 questions about the patrons and their
resource use, as we were looking to see what resources were used and what resources were
wanted. Some patrons were unaware of the resources available, and some didnt use the
resources available. Some had some very interesting suggestions, ones that hadnt been thought
of prior to the response.

b. Major Findings
In terms of hard data, no respondent was unaware of the printing services, while most
were unaware that they could reserve a locker. Only a fraction of respondents were at Jackson
Library only to use the Superlab. Most of the after midnight patrons responded that they were
there after midnight because they needed either a place to study after midnight, they needed a
quiet place to study, or that they found the library quieter after midnight. The largest proportion
of respondents identified as Humanities majors. Over half of the users were on-campus residents.
Most of the patrons were at the library 2-to-3 times a week after midnight, and most of the

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respondents are at the library during the late evening. When asked, most respondents wanted
better coffee and/or food available. One patron wanted a toothbrush and toothpaste in the
vending machines. Please see the data and charts in the Appendixes, as well as the Results
sections for more information.

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II. Introduction
a. Jackson Library: where is it and who does it serve?
Jackson Library is the library which serves the students, faculty, staff, and community of
the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There are about 18,500 total students at UNCG,
almost 1,000 total faculty members (2013-2014), and well over 2,000 staff members (20132014) (UNCG Factbook 2013-2014; UNCG Student Data Profile). The city of Greensboro is
about 250,000 as of the 2010 census (2010 Census). Jackson Library is open from 11 AM
Sunday, until 10 PM Friday, and from 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturdays, for all users with a valid
UNCG ID (Jackson Library Spring Hours). All of that data is a good starting point, but our group
was looking at a specific patron set: the patrons who use the library and its services after
midnight.

b. Services Offered by Jackson Library

Jackson Library offers many services to its patrons. Included in these services is the
Jackson Library Online Catalog, NC Knows 24/5 chat services, iMinerva chat, Libguides by
subject, online tutorials, many full-text online journals and other online resources offered
through library.uncg.edu, many full-text electronic resources available via databases for research,
the Superlab (a large computer lab, open until 3 a.m.), vending machines in the basement,
printing services, the checking out books placed on reserve by professors, the checking out books
from the stacks, the checking out technology (computers, cameras, tablets, and voice recorders)
from the checkout/circulation desk, the reservation of a locker, the reserving a study room at a

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time convenient for all, Interlibrary Loan of materials not at Jackson Library, University
Archives and Special Collections, as well as being a selective depository of government
documents (Description; Fast Facts; Survey).

c. Mission Statement, Values, and Goals of Jackson Library

The mission statement of Jackson Library is that the University Libraries advance and
support learning, research and service at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and
throughout the state of North Carolina. (Mission Statement - Jackson Library). This means that
Jackson Libraries wants to, above all else, support the patrons at the library. This shows in their 7
Values, which are:

innovation and creativity;

collaboration and teamwork;

a culture of diversity and inclusion;

communication that empowers and fosters openness, accountability and excellence in

service and programming;

an atmosphere of continual learning; and

a culture of sustainability (Mission Statement - Jackson Library).

This want to serve their patrons to the best of their ability is shown even further in their goals,
which are

to provide quality information services, systems, facilities and learning environments

from which the University community will gather information and conduct research;

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to build and preserve print, electronic resources and other unique collections that support
the University's missions and programs;

to provide leadership in information literacy programs and instructional technologies, to

establish an environment for collaborative learning and individual reflection and ensure
that the Libraries' services and resources support student activities and research in
partnership with academic faculty;

to provide opportunities for professional development and training of librarians and staff
to ensure the Libraries' services and operations are efficient and current;

to embrace and enhance diversity throughout the University's constituencies, culture,

curriculum and outreach activities;

to engage the Piedmont Triad in programs that enhance the life of the University and
community and build long-term support for the Libraries; and

to seek out and take advantage of appropriate entrepreneurial opportunities (Mission

Statement - Jackson Library).

All of these put together (the mission statement, the values, and the goals), shows that Jackson
Library wants to be the best that it can be. The mission statement, the values, and the goals show
that Jackson Library wants to serve the patrons to the best of its abilities. In order to do that, they
need to know what their patrons want. In order to know what their patrons want, they need to do
a needs assessment. Thats where we came in.

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III. Methods and Methodology

The methods used were a survey, and the data generated from that survey. The people surveyed
were library patrons who use the library and its services after midnight. The survey questions
were decided upon unanimously between the group members and then Okayed by members of
the library staff who were very helpful to the group.

a. Methodology
In preparation for the needs assessment assignment for the graduate level course called Library
and Informational Studies 650: Organization and Management, five students worked together
across the Internet, including the use of Google Docs and electronic mail through the University
of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). The UNCG students began the project by choosing
between two academic libraries where different members had personal connections to certain
members of the staff. The possible choices for the group were Jackson Library on UNCGs
campus and Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University. After discussing important
aspects of the project, it was decided that Jackson Library would be the most fitting place to host
the needs assessment.
Over email, the students offered ideas for which patron group they wanted to focus their
research, and one of the students recommended the unique idea to survey the patrons that are
within the library between the hours of midnight and seven-thirty in the morning. Our group
decided that would be an interesting population to survey to discover what needs they might
have in order to offer their results to those within the library to further inspire positive change.

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With unanimous agreement amongst the group, one group member volunteered to contact
both Kathryn Crowe, Associate Dean for Public Services, and Michael Crumpton, Assistant
Dean for Administrative Services, at Jackson Library via email. She received a welcomed
response from both parties because of their interest in knowing how to best reach the patrons
involved in their twenty-four hours, five days a week promised service. Together, Mr Crumpton,
Ms Crowe, and a member of the group met on a Thursday afternoon to discuss the plan for
gathering information from patrons.
It was determined that the group would create eleven survey questions to ask patrons who
are present in the library from midnight until eight in the morning. One student volunteered to be
at the library after midnight, armed with Fun Size candy bars to entice patrons to complete the
survey from a Sunday through Wednesday. Other members of the group helped to create the list
of questions, write up different aspects of the needs assessment paper, graph the results, and
create the presentation required for the assignment.
There was much email conversation shared between group members that discussed the
website to use to not only create the electronic survey, but also for what types of questions (i.e.
open-ended or multiple choice) would be asked. It was decided that Qualtrics would be used as
the survey instrument and we would offer a mix of the types of questions, so as to gather unique
data but not take too much time for the patrons.
As a whole, the group stayed away from questions which pigeon-holed patrons into
specific demographics. For example, Ms Crowe suggested that we not ask too specific a
question, such as that of age of participant, due to the fact that most persons who used the library
after midnight would most likely be younger and the group might not gain as many responses

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from people if the survey was less anonymous. Therefore, after much discourse concerning the
question development, the following questions were agreed upon for the survey:

Question 1: What is your major?

o

Humanities (Literature, Language, Social Sciences, Dance, Art, etc.)

Business (Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Finance, etc.)

Sciences (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, etc.)

International and Global Studies

Education (Special Education, etc.)

Information Systems (Library Science, etc.)

Medicine (Nursing, Health Sciences, Dentistry, etc.)

Other

Question 2: Are you a resident of UNCG?

o

Answer options:

Answer options:

I am a campus resident (I live on campus)

I am a commuter (I live off campus)

Question 3: How often are you in the library after midnight?

o

Answer options:

Usually once a week

Usually twice a week

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Usually three times a week

Usually four times a week

Daily/weekly

Hardly ever/Rarely

Question 4: Are there any other hours you are usually in the library? (Please select
all that apply)
o

Answer options:

7:30AM-11:30AM

11:30AM-3:30PM

3:30PM-7:30PM

7:30PM-11:45PM

None of the above; I am only an after-midnight patron of the library

Question 5: Which of the following services, which are available to you anytime, do
you use after midnight? (Please select all that apply)
o

Answer options:

Jackson Library Online Catalog

NC Knows 24/5 Chat Services

Research Libguides by Subject

Online Tutorials Created by UNCG Librarians

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Online Journals and Other Online Resources Offered through

library.uncg,edu

Database Research

Superlab (Open until 3:00AM)

Vending Machines in Basement

Printing

Checking Out Books Placed on Reserve by Professors

Checking Out Books from the Stacks

Checking Out Technology from the Checkout/Circulation Desk

Reserving a Locker

Reserving a Study Room

I do not use any of these services

Question 6: When approached about this survey, were you only in the library after
midnight to use the Superlab?
o

Answer options:

Yes

No

Question 7: Did you know that the services listed above were available after
midnight?
o

Answer options:

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Yes

No

I knew about some of the services, but not all of them

Question 8: Which of the following services were you unaware of until this survey?
(Please select all that apply)
o

Answer options:

Jackson Library Online Catalog

NC Knows 24/5 Chat Services

Research Libguides by Subject

Online Tutorials Created by UNCG Librarians

Online Journals and Other Online Resources Offered through

library.uncg,edu

Database Research

Superlab (Open until 3:00AM)

Vending Machines in Basement

Printing

Checking Out Books Placed on Reserve by Professors

Checking Out Books from the Stacks

Checking Out Technology from the Checkout/Circulation Desk

Reserving a Locker

Reserving a Study Room

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I was aware of all of these and know that they are available to me anytime

Question 9: Is/(Are) there any specific reason(s) that you stay in the library after
midnight? (Please select all that apply)
o

Answer options:

I need a place to study after midnight

My place of residence is noisy and I enjoy the librarys quiet environment

There are less people in the library after midnight, giving me more privacy
to work

I need to check out some technology

I need to reserve a group study room / I meet my group after midnight

because they are available at this time

Other

Question 10: Are there any services that you would like to have offered in Jackson
Library after midnight? (Please select any/all that apply)
o

Answer options:

Better food/coffee

DVD Access

Reference Books (Building Use Only Materials in the Reference Section)

Other

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I am satisfied with the services offered after midnight and have no

suggestions for this question

Question 11: Do you have any question about Jackson Librarys services that you
would like to know [more] about? If no or not applicable, please put No or N/A

After the survey was created and reviewed by the group, it was decided with the help of Ms
Crowes suggestion, that the team use a third generation iPad rented from the circulation desk at
Jackson Library. Ms Crowe offered special permission for one weeks usage with the student
group. The Qualtrics application was downloaded to the iPad so that patrons could access the
survey with ease when confronted by the group member. This process would continue
throughout the week prior to Easter from Sunday through Wednesday nights.

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IV. Results of Needs Assessment

Using the Qualtrics Online Survey as the tool for the student team, they were able to
access the results immediately. The results first came through with tables showcasing the total
number of patrons who answered each question, as well as a related percentage (see My
Results Appendix B). Within each questions individual table, small bar graphs showcased the
number of persons choosing each answer choice as well. Below each of the tables, the system
provided statistical values, such as the following: Min[imum] Value, Max[imum] Value,
Mean, Variance, Standard Deviation, and Total Responses. The open-ended responses
were written beneath questions with how the patrons chose to respond.
All of this information, while helpful to the team, was difficult to make aesthetically
pleasing to the eye. Therefore, one team member offered to take the results from Qualtrics and
put them into individual colored charts and graphs for the team to see. These charts were made
into both a Word Document displaying the graphs and an Excel Spreadsheet showing both the
graphs and the data. From these items, the student team was able to disaggregate the data from
the survey results.

a. Analyzed Results
Well over half of the patrons surveyed lived on campus, thus making the library an
accessible work area from the hours of midnight to seven thirty in the morning. The most
frequent category for the domain of study held by these patrons was the Humanities. Pooling
some of the responses together to understand the stories behind the surveyed patrons, the team
began to draw conclusions regarding the results. For example, one of the questions asked about

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what other times during the day the patrons might be found within the library. The time-frame
that was most chosen was from 7:30PM-11:45PM. It can be suggested that many of the patrons
were found within the library after midnight because they had not yet completed the work they
began before twelve. Also, patrons expressed various reasons for being in the library after
midnight, and it can be inferred that patrons view Jackson as an organized and peaceful
environment, more so than their on-campus areas of residence.
In addition to looking at possible reasons why these people were within the library after
midnight, a large part of the survey focused on making people aware of the resources that UNCG
offers to all patrons of the library. The results showcased a mix of responses highlighting what
services they knew were available to them and which ones they did not. To illustrate, the service
that most of the patrons were unaware of existed at Jackson was the possibility of reserving a
locker. If this is a service that Jackson wishes to boost for their late-night patrons, they might
choose to offer persons a reminder when they see patrons with lots of belongings come through
the doors in the evening.
Moreover, it might behoove Jackson Library to seek getting a travel-size toothbrush and
toothpaste kit in the vending machines due to the request from a surveyed patron for what other
resource could be offered by Jackson. Other patrons were interested in being able to have access
to the DVDs after midnight, as well as the reference books. By allowing both of those services,
Jackson Library could potentially increase the contentment of the persons within the library after
midnight.
Another way that the results could impact the Jackson Library staff is that for the
resources that were unknown to the patrons, or that were hardly ever used, the library could
choose whether or not to spend much time, money, and staff to have all of the services available

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during those hours. This might also lead to future surveys for patrons within the library at other
times of the day to see whether or not those same services are familiar to others as well.

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b. Graphed and Analyzed Results

1. What is your major?

Figure 1: Question 1: What is your major?

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Out of the eight choices that the team provided for the answer options regarding possible majors
represented within the Jackson Library after midnight, the majority of people, totaling eleven
responses, fell within the domain of Humanities. The second largest piece of the pie chart could
be found within the field of Sciences with five, shortly followed by an equal share in Medicine
and Business with four. Education had two responses with the other category also displaying
two, one of which mentioned Music as a domain. 2: Are You A Resident of UNCG?

Are You A Resident of UNCG ?

18
16
14
12
Responses

10
8
6
4
2
0
I am a campus resident (I live on campus)

Figure 2: Question 2: Are you a resident of UNCG?

For the second graph, more than half of the surveyed patrons lived on campus (seventeen
people), whereas only eleven patrons were commuters.

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3: How Often Are You In The Library After Midnight?

How Often Are You In The Library After Midnight?

Usually once a week

Usually twice a week

Usually three times a week

Usually four times a week

Daily/Weekly

Hardly ever/Rarely

Figure 3: Question 3: How often are you in the library after midnight?

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The third graph showcases how many of the patrons surveyed frequent the library after midnight.
Eight of the patrons admitted to being present in the library after midnight two or three times a
week. Four of the people either work during that time routinely for the week or said it was a rare
occasion for them to be found in the library after midnight. Three people said they work there
once a week after midnight, and only one response offered that it is a usual occurrence to be in
the library four times a week. 4: Are There Any Other Hours You Are Usually In

The Library?

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Figure 4: Question 4: Are there any other hours you are usually in the library?

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Are there any other hours you are usually in the library?
7:30 am - 11:30 am

11:30 am - 3:30 pm

3:30 pm - 7:30 pm

7:30 pm - 11:45 pm

None of the above; I am only an after-midnight patron of the library

Though there were twenty-eight total responses for the survey, this graph allowed patrons to
choose as many answers that apply to them. Therefore, most of the patrons, totaling seventeen,
chose the 7:30PM-11:45PM timeframe as being the usual time they happen to be in the library.
Nine people responded that their library usage time would be within the span of 3:30PM7:30PM, seven responses were chosen to highlight the 11:30AM-3:30PM times, and two persons
responded they use the library 7:30AM-11:30AM. Five people, however, said they solely use the
library after midnight.

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5: Resources Used After Midnight?

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Figure 5: Question 5: Resource use after midnight?

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Resources used after midnight

25
20
15
10
5
0

For this graph, patrons were asked to respond with as many services that were applicable.
Therefore, the total number of responses were greater than the total patrons that were surveyed.
The five services that were chosen by patrons as being the most frequently used were the
Printing Service (23 responses), the Superlab (20 responses), the Vending Machines (13
responses), Reserving a Study Room (111 responses), and the Jackson Library Online Catalog
(10 responses). Two services were not chosen by anyone. Those two services were the Online
Tutorials Created by UNCG Librarians and Reserving a Locker.

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6: Were You Only In The Library To Use The Superlab?

Were You Only In The Library To Use The Superlab?

30
25
20

Yes
No

15
10
5
0
Answer

Figure 6: Question 6: Were you only in the library to use the superlab?

This graph depicts whether or not the patrons surveyed after midnight were there to use the
Superlab. Of the twenty-eight patrons, twenty-four were there for other reasons. It can be
extrapolated that the majority of after midnight patrons are not in the library to use the Superlab.

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7: Did You Know That The Services Above (See Question 5) Were Available?
Figure 7: Question 7: Did you know that the services were available?

This graph connects to the results for the fifth question regarding the services offered to patrons
after midnight. Sixteen patrons knew that the services were available to them, three people did
not know they existed, and nine patrons only knew about some of the services from Jackson
Library.

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8: Which Of The Following Services Were You Unaware Of Until This

Survey?
Which of the following services were you unaware of until this survey?
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Figure 8: Question 8: Which of the following services were you unaware of until this survey?
The information within this graph is directly related to the results presented in graphs five and
seven. This graph shows specifically which services patrons were unaware existed at Jackson
Library. Seven of the twenty-eight people surveyed, however, knew that all the services were
available. The greatest service that people were unaware existed was that of Reserving a Locker
(13 responses). The four next highest services unknown to patrons after midnight were NC
Knows 24/5 Chat (10 responses), Online Tutorials Created by UNCG Librarians (8 responses),
and Online Journals and the Vending Machine with both with five responses respectively.

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9:Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight?

Figure 9: Question 9: Why

do you use the library after
midnight?

Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight?

I need a place to study after midnight

My place of residence is noisy and I enjoy the library's quiet environment

There are less people in the library after midnight, giving me more privacy to work

I need to check out some technology

I need to reserve a group study room/ I meet my group after midnight because they are available at
this time

Other

The teams ninth graph displays the specific reasons why the surveyed patrons work in the
library after midnight. Again, the total number of responses appear skewed due to the fact that
patrons could choose as many as apply. The most chosen reason was because they need a place
to study (19 responses). The second highest response with 17, was that their individual places
were noisy and they preferred the quieter atmosphere offered by the library. Thirteen people
chose the fact that there are less people in the library, thereby granting more privacy for work to
be completed. The lowest responses included having to checkout technology or reserving a
study room, both with three patron answers.

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10: Are There Any Other Services You Think Jackson Library Should Offer?

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Figure 10: Question 10: Any other services?

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Any Other Services?

25
20
15
10
5
0

The teams tenth graph shows what patrons would like to see offered in Jackson Library after
midnight. The largest item that was chosen consisted of providing better food options and the
potential for coffee (21 responses). Five people were totally satisfied with the services offered at
night. A few people (three responses) requested to have DVD Access, and two patrons wanted
access to Reference Books.

11: Is There Anything Else That You Think Jackson Library Should Know?
As all of these answers were No, this question was not graphed.

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V. Conclusions and Recommendations

Overall, we had several conclusions, such as the role distance plays in who uses the library after
midnight. Every question has its own results, and those results were interpreted to the
conclusions and recommendations to follow.

a. Conclusions
Our results showed us many peaks and valleys in the survey that we can draw
conclusions from based on the popularity or lack thereof when it came to students selecting
answers. To gain access to Jackson Library after midnight, one must show a student ID card,
making every person in our sample a UNCG student. We also knew that patrons still in the
library after midnight tended to be younger students almost exclusively; therefore, we did not ask
the patrons their age. We did want to know their major, though, and we polled mostly humanities
students because that subject covers many majors and the humanities require the most librarybased research for assignments (such as research papers). Out of all the respondents none were
library science majors and none were international/global studies students, which tell us that
there was no bias in favor of the library from library science students and that physical distance
from the library matters. International/global studies students are mostly online students, but we
wanted to make sure that we measured every demographic possible through our survey.
Distance also came into play for our second question concerning whether or not the
patron was a campus resident of UNCG or a commuter living off campus. The percentages were
almost a 60/40 split with the majority 60 percent being residents and 40 percent being
commuters. This tells us that the library is used as a convenience since most patrons live within

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walking distance. Since the library is utilized as a convenience, it is no surprise that question
three, or the frequency that patrons visit the library per week, revealed that many students
returned to the library after midnight multiple nights per week. Most people chose visiting the
library after midnight two to three times a week evenly. Following close behind was the
daily/weekly option and the hardly ever/rarely option, which were also chosen the same amount
of times. Therefore, after midnight patrons remain unlikely to frequent the library every day or
never/not at all (two extremes) but they do attend an average of two times per week. When asked
about other hours they normally frequented the library, after midnight patrons choose the hours
closest to midnight, or the 7:30 p.m. through 11:45 p.m. timeslot. In fact, the earlier the hours the
less the option was chosen and only 18 percent chose the option for being solely an after
midnight patron. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that after midnight patrons are night
owls and begin their research late.
The reasons for patrons being in the library after midnight, or what services they used
after midnight, showed us that printing in the Superlab was the most popular reason followed
closely by access to the online catalog, database research, vending machines in the basement,
and reserving a study room. Services used very rarely are NC Knows 24/5 chat, research
libguides by subject, online journals and other online resources, checking out books from the
stacks, and checking out technology from the circulation desk. Checking out books on reserve
was selected by only one person while online tutorials, reserving a locker, and I do not use any
of these services were not selected at all. This information tells us that library resources are not
advocated or advertised enough. Questions 6, 7, and 8 strengthen this hypothesis. When asked if
they were using the Superlab after midnight exclusively, 4 said yes and 24 said no. Therefore,
after midnight patrons should be using services other than printing. After all, when asked if they

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knew the listed services were available to them, over half of the patrons said yes, 3 said no, and
32 percent said they knew about some of the services but not all of them. This information tells
us that even if students are aware of a service, they more than likely do not know all of the perks
or opportunities which certain services can offer them. For example, a student may understand
that research guides by subject are available to them, but they may not realize that a subject
guide has been created for their class specifically. Question 8 demonstrates this theory perfectly;
when asked which services they were unaware of until the survey, after midnight patrons
selected every option except for printing. The options NC Knows 24/5 chat and reserving a
locker really stuck out the most because they were selected the most. This information tells us
that printing is the most popular service in Jackson Library and that students are unaware of the
services offered to them as well as certain library spaces.
Since after midnight patrons seem unaware of the many opportunities Jackson Library
has to offer them, one might wonder why they stay in the library after midnight. The ninth
question covers this information and found that most people need a place to study, a quiet
environment, and some privacy. Some people needed to check out technology or needed to work
in a group study room. This information tells us that students really enjoy the atmosphere of the
library, but we believe they would enjoy the environment more if they knew how much they
could accomplish through all the spaces and services. When asked for suggestions concerning
services they would like to have offered in the library after midnight, patrons selected better food
and coffee a whopping 21 times. The option I am satisfied with the services offered after
midnight was selected 5 times, which is not too bad considering our sample size. The services
that close at midnight due to the gate cutting off a specific section of the library, or DVD access
and reference materials, were selected two times each. Two patrons made suggestions; one

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suggested that the library provide more open spaces for a less cramped environment, which
tells us that the student is unaware of certain library spaces and the other patron suggested that
the library sell toothbrushes and toothpaste in the vending machines, which tells us that after
midnight patrons may not go home before heading off to class. Therefore, if Jackson Library
offered more bathroom commodities through the basement vending machines, after midnight
patrons would bring in more money for the library.

b. Recommendations
Our group would like to take our interpretations of this survey data and stress a few
recommendations. Since many after midnight patrons are students living on campus who seem
unaware of the library services offered to them yet return to the library after midnight at least
twice a week, Jackson Library needs to advertise their services to students through multiple
mediums to reach these students and increase their statistics on use. Flyers and a link from the
Jackson Library homepage explaining what all is offered to patrons after midnight would keep
students informed. The information would be easy to deliver, especially since the flyers could be
mainly concentrated around campus due to so many UNCG residents. There should also be a
separate flyer/link on the library homepage detailing how to print in Jackson Library since it is so
popular. Students may be unaware that the Superlab prints in both black and white as well as
color, or that every IT lab on campus including the Superlab gives each student $3 worth of
printing (roughly 75 pages) every semester. A link to an online tutorial of the entire library
should also be easily accessed from the homepage to teach students how to optimize spaces in
the library and study in the environment they want/need. All of this advertisement would cost the
library so little, and could even be free if solely online advertisements were utilized.

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Some suggestions that may cost the library some money but would also make the library
money have to do with food and drink options. Many students suggested fresh coffee and better
snacks as the most popular service they wanted available in the library after midnight, and they
are willing to pay for it. We think a 24/5 caf, much like the Barnes & Noble/Starbucks themed
caf in the EUC, be put in the basement of the library. Also, a separate vending machine with
toiletries would benefit the library greatly, in our opinion. We were surprised by the tooth
brush/toothpaste suggestion and think that a vending machine offering hairbrushes, hair ties,
floss, and other bathroom commodities could bring in a significant amount of income for the
library since they could charge more than the normal amount due to the convenience that the
24/5 vending machine would offer.

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VI. Strengths and Weaknesses of Needs

Assessment
Like all projects, ours had its strengths and its weaknesses. The biggest strength was the support
we received from Jackson Library, while the largest weakness would be the fact that did
compensate the students for their participation with a piece of candy, which may have influenced
their want to take the survey.

a. Our teams overall experience, working with the library,

obstacles, and general lessons learned:
Our groups overall experience working with Jackson Library remains a positive and
informative one. We received so much support from both staff and students. Kathryn Crowe and
Michael Crumpton encouraged us through the entire process of collecting data on after midnight
patrons, met with us to discuss some information they had already obtained from a previous
survey of after midnight patrons conducted for differing reasons than our project, and engaged us
excitedly about utilizing our data to improve library services. The students who participated in
the survey also seemed enthusiastic about library services and what services were and could be
offered to them after midnight. Although, we suspect that this enthusiasm could have come from
the fact that we traded a piece of candy for roughly three minutes of their time to take the survey.
Some could argue that this trade is a weakness in our research, creating some bias not only based
on the fact that student participation was voluntary, but also on the fact that they were
compensated. We believe that a piece of candy was an even trade for three minutes of their time,
but we also acknowledge the potential for weakness in our research.

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We gathered data for roughly a week, especially since the library is open after midnight
for five days a week, and some obstacles that we ran into with sampling was a threat of repeated
participation. As our data suggests, many students in the library after midnight return to the
library at least twice a week. This was also the case in our experience when sampling from
Sunday to Thursday because by Thursday many of students had already taken the survey. This
issue made finding more participants a challenge, thereby reducing our sample size. Another
obstacle we need to acknowledge is the fact that our suggestion for a caf in the basement is
unlikely to happen for many reasons. We understand that Jackson Library, like almost every
library, faces the challenges of a shrinking budget. We also understand that putting in a caf in
the basement would require building inspections, sanitary station installments, and the
implementation of more employees.
Even with these obstacles, our group gleaned so much from this experience, especially
concerning our fellow students. Since all of the after midnight patrons are students and many of
these students live on campus, we learned that they utilize the library for the space, atmosphere,
and environment due to their living conditions. Having multiple people with different sleeping
schedules share a cramped space such as a dorm room makes the library a great escape for
residents of UNCG. These students enjoy the library, but remain unaware of just how many
amazing services are offered to them because their generation is heavily based in technology and
the many services the internet can provide them. We as a group and as future librarians believe
that we have to meet patrons at their level of need through mediums that they understand, or
utilizing technology to advocate for libraries.

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VII. Works Cited Page

Office of Institutional Research. (08 April 2015). Factbook 2013-14 Instructional Faculty by
School/College, Department, and Full-Time/Part-Time Status, Fall 2013. Retrieved
from: http://ire.uncg.edu/pages/factbook/2013-14/PDFs/faculty/FacultybySchl_Dept_FP.pdf
Office of Institutional Research. (08 April 2015). Factbook 2013-14 2013 UNCG Full-Time
SPA Work Force by SOC Job Title and Ethnicity. Retrieved from: http://ire.uncg.edu/
pages/factbook/2013-14/PDFs/faculty/UNCG_FT_EPA_Ethnicity_13.pdf
Office of Institutional Research. (08 April 2015). Factbook 2013-14 2013 UNCG Full-Time
EPA Work Force by SOC Job Title and Ethnicity. Retrieved from: http://ire.uncg.edu/
pages/factbook/2013-14/PDFs/faculty/UNCG_FT_SPA_Ethnicity_13.pdf
Office of Institutional Research. (08 April 2015). Student Data Profile. Retrieved from:
http://ire.uncg.edu/SDP/default.asp?
LEVEL=BO&Yselect=2014&COL=ALL&Column=CLASS_ORDER&Row=CLASS_D
&Center=COUNT&run=Submit&NEW=Y
United States Census Bureau. (2010). Census 2010 Total Population Greensboro city, North
Carolina. Retrieved from: http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/cf/1.0/en/place/Greensboro
city, North Carolina/POPULATION/DECENNIAL_CNT
University Libraries. (08 April 2015). Spring Semester Hours of Operation. Retrieved from:
http://library.uncg.edu/hours/spring/
University Libraries. (08 April 2015). General Description of the University Libraries. Retrieved
from: http://library.uncg.edu/info/description.aspx

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University Libraries. (08 April 2015). Fast Facts Statistical Highlights. Retrieved from:
http://library.uncg.edu/info/fast_facts.aspx
University Libraries. (08 April 2015). Mission Statement, Goals, and Values. Retrieved from:
http://library.uncg.edu/info/mission_statement.aspx

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VIII. Appendixes
A. Survey Questions

Appendix A: Figure 1: Questions 1, 2, and 3, as they

appear in the results and Appendix B and C. Given the
nature of Qualtrics, this is how the questions appear to the
creator, but not to the users.

Appendix A: Figure 2: Questions

4, 5, and 6, as they appear in the
results and Appendix B and C.
Given the nature of Qualtrics, this
is how the questions appear to the
creator, but not to the users.

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Appendix A: Figure 3: Questions 7

and 8, as they appear in the results
and Appendix B and C. Given the
nature of Qualtrics, this is how the
questions appear to the creator, but
not to the users.

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Appendix A: Figure 4: Questions 9,

10, and 11, as they appear in the
results and Appendix B and C. Given
the nature of Qualtrics, this is how
the questions appear to the creator,
but not to the users.

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B. My

Report (01 April 2015)

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C: Graphs and Raw Data

Question 1: What Is Your Major?

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What Is Your Major?

Humanities (Literature, Language, Social Sciences, Dance, Art, etc.)

Sciences (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, etc.)

Education (Special Education, etc.)

Medicine (Nursing, Health Sciences, Dentistry, etc.)

Business (Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Finance, etc.)

International and Global Studies

Information Systems (Library Science, etc.)

Other

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Question 2: Are You A Resident of UNCG?

Question 3: How Often Are You In The Library After Midnight?

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Question 4: Are They Any Other Hours You Are Usually In The Library?

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Question 5: Resources Used After Midnight?

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Question 6: Were You Only In The Library To Use The Superlab?

Question 7: Did You Know That The Services Above Were Available?

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Did You know that the services above were available?

20
15
10
5
0

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Question 8: Which Of The Following Services Were You Unaware Of Until

This Survey?

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Question 9: Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight?

Why Do You Use The Library After Midnight?

I need a place to study after midnight

My place of residence is noisy and I enjoy the library's quiet environment

There are less people in the library after midnight, giving me more privacy to work

I need to check out some technology

I need to reserve a group study room/ I meet my group after midnight because they are available at this time

Other

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Question 10: Any Other Services?

Any Other Services?

25
20
15
10
5
0

Question 11: Any Other Questions?

(Everyone who answered said No.)

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