When Questions Are Answers: Using a Survey to Achieve Faculty Awareness of the Library’s Electronic Resources

The Utah State University (USU) Libraries spend approximately 11 percent of their materials budget on electronic resources. Because electronic resources occupy no shelf space and often are used from remote locations, it can be difficult to alert users to new resources at the library and to determine what sort of patron support is needed. This study investigated electronic database awareness and use by 856 USU administrators and teaching faculty. The responses revealed the need for greater publicity regarding new acquisitions, training opportunities, and methods of remote access. Unexpectedly, the survey itself, with its accompanying descriptions of databases and access methods, met many of the needs it identified.