Libraries are used extensively
99% of faculty and graduate students and 97% of undergraduates noted that they used the library during
the past academic year (similar to 1992 results). Approximately 70% of faculty and students state that
they use the Libraries at least weekly.
Faculty use libraries differently than students:
While 70% of faculty (including teaching and research associates) use the Libraries at least weekly, more
do so by remote access than physically visit the library. Among those faculty who use libraries at least
weekly (respondents could choose more than one category):
- 60% do so from an office computer
- 40% physically visit the libraries
- 25% use a home computer
The student percentages are reversed with 60% reporting weekly in-person visits, and 35% to 40% using
library services remotely. Undergraduate students, in particular, see the Libraries as a "place". Faculty in
the Health Sciences were most likely to use the library remotely: Nearly 70% of those in the School of
Medicine used the Libraries at least weekly from an office computer, while only 33% visited the Libraries in
person at least weekly. Health Sciences faculty were also twice as likely to send someone else to the
Libraries than other academic programs.
Among those who visit the Libraries at least weekly:
- More than 90% of faculty do so for research compared to 85% of graduate students and 45% of
undergraduates
- 30% of faculty visit for course-related activities compared to 53% of graduate students and 60% of
undergraduates
- 87% of undergraduates use the libraries as a place to do work compared to 43% of graduate students
and 7% of faculty
12 Feb 96