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Taking pro‐action A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the implementation of a wireless notebook computer lending program in an academic library

Taking pro‐action A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the... Purpose – The purpose of the article is to gauge reaction to the implementation of a wireless laptop lending program in a university library before it actually became operational and wireless access itself became available. Design/methodology/approach – This online survey consisted of 22 multiple choice questions that all Monmouth University students and employees were invited by e‐mail to answer. Findings – The vast majority of responses came from students, and most of them were ready for wireless access in the library and across campus. Several re‐emphasized in text their desire to log‐on to the network with their own laptops. Research limitations/implications – The survey ran for only two weeks, and yet, because tabulation was done by hand, a response rate ten times greater would have made our method impracticable. Practical implications – This kind of survey is comparatively easy and fast to implement. It lends itself to follow‐up surveys to measure the success of a wireless computer program or other technological development, including the possible effects on user attitude. Originality/value – This study was original in that it took place just before a wireless laptop‐lending program was activated. Tightly focused online surveys with a limited number of questions can help librarians anticipate issues not considered or sufficiently emphasized earlier, or quickly assess the impact wireless access is having. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Library Hi Tech Emerald Publishing

Taking pro‐action A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the implementation of a wireless notebook computer lending program in an academic library

Hugh A. Holden; Margaret Deng
Library Hi Tech , Volume 23 (4): 15 – Dec 1, 2005
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References (6)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0737-8831
DOI
10.1108/07378830510636346
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to gauge reaction to the implementation of a wireless laptop lending program in a university library before it actually became operational and wireless access itself became available. Design/methodology/approach – This online survey consisted of 22 multiple choice questions that all Monmouth University students and employees were invited by e‐mail to answer. Findings – The vast majority of responses came from students, and most of them were ready for wireless access in the library and across campus. Several re‐emphasized in text their desire to log‐on to the network with their own laptops. Research limitations/implications – The survey ran for only two weeks, and yet, because tabulation was done by hand, a response rate ten times greater would have made our method impracticable. Practical implications – This kind of survey is comparatively easy and fast to implement. It lends itself to follow‐up surveys to measure the success of a wireless computer program or other technological development, including the possible effects on user attitude. Originality/value – This study was original in that it took place just before a wireless laptop‐lending program was activated. Tightly focused online surveys with a limited number of questions can help librarians anticipate issues not considered or sufficiently emphasized earlier, or quickly assess the impact wireless access is having.

Journal

Library Hi Tech – Emerald Publishing

Published: Dec 1, 2005

Keywords: Laptops; Surveys; Wireless

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