User library service expectations in health science vs. other settings: a LibQUAL+® Study

OBJECTIVES: To explore how the library service expectations and perceptions of users might differ across health-related libraries as against major research libraries not operating in a medical context; to determine whether users of medical libraries demand better library service quality, because the inability of users to access needed literature promptly may lead to a patient who cannot be properly diagnosed, or a diagnosis that cannot be properly treated. METHODOLOGY: We compared LibQUAL+ total and subscale scores across three groups of US, Canadian and British libraries for this purpose. RESULTS: Anticipated differences in expectations for health as other library settings did not emerge. CONCLUSIONS: The expectations and perceptions are similar across different types of health science library settings, hospital and academic, and across other general research libraries.