This whitewashing the fence theory is just not working

As regular readers know, I am at heart an incredibly lazy individual. Anytime I can get someone else to do my work (and thinking) for me, I am delighted.

Unfortunately when I try to get others to do my work for me by slyly using my blog, it rarely works. Maybe people are just on to me. While the suggestions I did get from the few people who made them about my student program survey and student facility planning survey were excellent, there weren't exactly a ton of them.

So below is the revised student survey with edits, both mine and others. It is much better. Thanks to those who suggested improvements...

Image from the Norman Rockwell Museum websiite:http://www.nrm.org/images/cache/(181)TE_sawyer_detail.jpg

Student Survey Questions (revised 2009)

Please respond to statements 1 - 12 with:
Strongly Disagree (1), Disagree (2), Agree (3), or Strongly agree (4)

1. I feel I can help decide what activities, rules and materials are a part of the library’s program.
2. The rules for the library are fair and easy to understand.
3. The librarian lets me know when there are new materials, technologies or activities in the library.
4. There are enough books, computer terminals, and other resources in the library that I can get what I need to complete school assignments.
5. The books, magazines, computers and other equipment in the library are in good condition and up-to-date.
6. The skills taught by the librarian are important and I use them in class and at home as well as in the library.
7. I can use the library whenever I need to during the school day.
8. The librarian answers my questions about research, literature and technology when I need help.
9. The library has a useful website that is well organized, up-to-date and easy to use.
10. I always feel welcome, safe and comfortable in library.
11. I can get my work done in the library whether working alone, in a small group, or with my entire class.
12. I use technology in the library to create products such as documents, videos, presentations, and audio recordings that communicate my research and ideas.
13. Books and magazines that meet my personal interests are available and I can use the library’s computers to access online materials of personal interest.
14. The library allows me to work with other students on class assignments.
15. The library allows me to socialize and play with other students.
16. The library supports projects that allow me to interact with students from other locations – including international students.
17. The librarian and library resources support my creativity and problem-solving abilities.
18. The thing I like best about the library is:
19. One thing that could be changed about the library is:
20. Other comments or observations.

Comments

[Tim Staal]

This is a very good survey. Thanks. An isn't part of the job description of library/media specialist that of being a collaborator? (one could easily interpret that as semi-delegator) And that goes doubly true for tech director. Of course, it then logically follows that those of us who are both media & tech directors must by definition be somewhat lazy and always try to share the tasks with others (Don't they call that "getting buy in" in Admin 101 ?
Anyway - thanks for all you do to help the rest of us, Doug.

Tim

[ghostlibrarian]

Oh, good you got this done. I was hoping I wouldn't have to make up my own. All kidding aside, it is a good survey. I think I'll borrow some from it to make my own, more k-5 friendly one.

[Terry]

Thanks for posting this; as a regular lurker of your blog, I must admit to being a bit intimidated to make suggestions to YOU, one of my online mentors; thus, lack of response may not have a correlation to reader interest. Also, I think I am going to use Google Forms this year to admin, collect, analyze my annual survey results. Maybe the "bling" of a different tool will add impact my response rates.

[tara ethridge]

Doug,

Great changes to the survey! We are certainly looking forward to your visit to ISB in May. As the elementary librarian here, I'm looking at your survey with a reflective eye in regards to the services we offer in the elementary. Looking forward to the conversations.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Tim,

Yes, the librarian’s role includes collaboration. I am trying to think how this might be sufficiently apparent to a student that he might comment.

Oh, I also think we need to think hard about our collaborative efforts:

http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/few-words-about-collaboration.html

It’s a means, not an end.

Thanks for the comment!

Doug

ghost librarain (and others),

Yes, adapt this survey to meet your specific needs. Share your revisions when you can!

Doug

Terry,

Google Forms (or SurveyMonkey) is a great idea. Don't lurk; give me some grief. It's good for me!

Doug

Hi Tara,

Thanks much for the comment.

I am so looking forward to the visit to ISB as well! What a powerful group of individuals. I expect to do as much learning as anyone.

Doug