In Fall 2023, as part of a broader range of assessment and engagement activities, UVic Libraries began strategic consultations with student groups and student leaders.  Our goals were to identify students’ needs, desires, and awareness of library offerings; to more systematically and sustainably gather qualitative data about student use of the library; and to build relationships with students in an intentional and accessible way.

One key approach we adopted was a two-question survey strategy. We used the same two high-level questions for multiple consultations with different student groups over the academic year.  We asked these questions at both invited and proposed outreach opportunities, including orientation events, academic writing events, and meetings with student governance bodies. Our preferred method was administering the questions via an online survey, allowing students to give us their feedback in their own words while also providing them with time to think fully about the questions. This produced qualitative data that was both rich (i.e. permitted richness and variability) and somewhat comparable (i.e. structured around consistent prompts.)

Our initial findings helped to confirm and deepen our understanding of students’ experiences in and awareness of library services.  Students tended to volunteer the most information about their experiences with self-serve resources like bookable spaces, digital collections, and equipment loans, and less about of their experiences of mediated services like research help.  At the same time, we found differentiated perceptions across user groups like international, Indigenous, and graduate students. Students responded positively to our consultations, signaling the success of a relational approach to assessment and engagement. Finally, students expressed a desire for more communication about offerings from the Libraries.

This paper describes concrete actions we have taken in response to what we learned.  They include new engagement strategies and service offerings, adjustments to core student services, routinized outreach, and ongoing funding for student positions.   It also describes the initial impact of this work, including improved relationships with student leaders and groups, improved relationships with the International Centre for Students, improved social media engagement with students, and improved communication with students.

Key findings from our review of the consultation data include insights into general and differentiated student awareness and uptake of library services and resources; greater understanding into barriers and gaps for students using the library; and greater understanding of how students prefer to receive library communication.