SARAH STEVENSON
Reference Librarian, Killam Library
July 31 – December 31, 2009

For some time, I have suspected that the libraries are not meeting the needs of the Faculty of Science. I propose to investigate two questions during my leave:

Are Dalhousie University Libraries meeting the needs of the Faculty of Science?
How can the Libraries improve services to the Faculty of Science, or make them more aware of what we have to offer?

At present, my plan for investigating these questions consists of soliciting feedback from students (undergraduate & graduate), post-doctoral fellows, staff, and faculty through an online survey, focus groups and interviews.  I expect that these investigations will reveal areas for improvement, both in the provision of service and the marketing of the services we already provide.

During my leave, I’ll be one of the Researchers in Residence at Dalhousie’s School of Information Management. They are providing me with a workspace and a collegial environment for my research in exchange for a presentation in their Public Lecture series and mentoring with their students.  The faculty and staff have already been very welcoming, and generous with their advice!