Faculty use of an academic library reference collection

Abstract

The Reference Use Study Group of the University of Toledo’s William S. Carlson Library utilized a questionnaire to determine how faculty used the reference collection, as well as their reasons for using it. This questionnaire was part of a comprehensive study of local reference collection use that employed a variety of evaluation methods. Some of the findings corroborated those identified in the literature. The results of this component of the study, as well as other components, will be used to weed the collection, to improve collection management, and may suggest strategies to develop channels of communication with the faculty. This article provides a description of the methodology used to query faculty, selected questionnaire results, brief analysis of these results and a copy of the questionnaire.