Articles

How Can I Help You?: Becoming User-Centered in Special Collections

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Abstract

This study reports the results of a 2008 survey of 148 users of the Special Collections and University Archives Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC Special Collections). Data are examined to determine if the quality of services provided by UIC Special Collections at the Richard J. Daley Library meets our users’ expectations for services, collections, and comfort. Results show a high level of satisfaction with the services, collections access and comfort, but also a desire for services designed to improve research productivity such as longer and more convenient reading room hours, more digitized primary sources, and faster and cheaper duplication services. The study also offers examples of new service initiatives at UIC Special Collections based on user feedback.

How to Cite:

Harris, V., (2010) “How Can I Help You?: Becoming User-Centered in Special Collections”, Archival Issues 32(2), 71–97. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/archivalissues.10968