Assessment of User Satisfaction on Library Services at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Abstract

Background and purpose: Assessment of user satisfaction on library services is a major challenge in achieving appropriate services. The aim of this study was to evaluate user satisfaction with library services at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences based on LibQUAL model. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted in 144 faculty members and students at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected by convenience sampling. They reported their satisfaction on library services of different schools at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences via completing the LibQUAL scale. Results: This study showed that, user satisfaction in three components, including service affect, information control, and library as a place met the minimum level of expectations (5.25±1.05, 5.51±1.20, 5.69±1.50, respectively), but did not met the maximum level of expectations (6.43±1.79, 5.83±1.68, 5.83±1.97, respectively). Similar Satisfaction level was seen in faculty members and students on the service affect. In dimension of information services, the expectation level of faculty members was higher than that of students, but their satisfaction level on library as a place was less than that of the students. Conclusion: The libraries and information centers studied here, met the needs of users at average levels, but they are believed to be far from ideal levels.

Keywords

• satisfaction
• library
• libqual