GALILEO User Survey 2005 Report
I would improve GALILEO by...
The number of usable surveys returned (692) increased 11% over last year (623 in 2004) and increased 17% over 2003 (593). Of the 692 respondents, 296 (43%) completed the narrative questions, “I would improve GALILEO by…” Well over half of the responses (65%) to this question were neutral, neither positive nor negative. The neutral designation was given to such responses as suggestions for content or new functionality that has only recently become available to libraries. Most comments designated as “negative” concern the complexity of the GALILEO web site and the perception that it is not user-friendly or easily searchable (“I would like to see a friendly article search that is not quite so intimidating”). Some representative positive comments are below.
- As a teacher, I find it invaluable.
- The GALILEO Kid’s page is wonderful for middle and elementary students.
- I am a non-traditional student who works full time, has an active family with children, and am trying to earn my bachelor’s degree. Without GALILEO, I would not be able to research and write papers!
- GALILEO is an excellent service. I am a teacher who is going back to school, and I use GALILEO all the time for my research.
- Advertise it!! People in the state do not know about this fabulous resource.
- The new express links are a great feature and make the databases appear less intimidating to use
- I really enjoy using it.
- Love the state projects you have put together. Fabulous initiatives! Wow to the Sanborn maps!!!
Over seventy percent of the respondents suggested increased content or coverage as an improvement. The number of respondents who suggested increased full-text content was up ten percent over last year, and the number who suggested more databases increased by 12%. Fifteen percent (43) mentioned specific products they would like to see added to their database offerings.
The request to simplify GALILEO has been a refrain in annual user surveys since the question was first asked in 1998. The percentage was down slightly this year at 17% (18% in 2004); however, the percentage of respondents who had negative responses specifically about the GALILEO home page or menus rose. Respondents who specifically mentioned difficulties regarding the home page increased nine percent over last year and those who mentioned navigating the tabs or menus increased eight percent. Comments about the home page and menus include the following:
- The subject buttons on the home page are difficult for the average user.
- I think the K-12 database page might be easier to navigate for students if it wasn’t as wordy, perhaps have database icons as well as the list.
- Any chance you could make the search screens easier to navigate? I understand you are limited by the database, but the front-end page could be a little more friendly.
- Different color scheme for student use.
- It still seems a little busy in its appearance and I think that I would do something to streamline that.
- Enable me to get to PsycINFO more quickly . . . decrease the number of keystrokes.
Since GALILEO first began sending users to database native interfaces in 1999 rather than launching searches within the GALILEO single interface, users have asked for the capability to search across multiple databases simultaneously. Respondents cite having to enter their search in too many different search screens (“It gets frustrating that I have to spend hours just trying different keywords in the bazillions of different databases”) and having to know the name of the specific database that is appropriate for their search. The percentage of respondents who mentioned federated searching this year rose eight percent over last year. The increased interest in this functionality may be partly attributable to the fact that federated searching became a hot topic in the library world in 2005 and that plans to implement a federated search product for all GALILEO consortia were announced.