DUX recently completed a needs assessment as part of our mobile web site redesign project. We surveyed 52 students at several IUB Libraries and asked them to comment on how they use the IU libraries, how they conduct research, and which mobile devices and applications they use. Participants also provided feedback on the current IU Libraries Mobile Site. A summary of our findings is listed below.
Key Findings
- 60% of respondents own a smartphone.
- Undergraduate students appear more likely than Graduate students to own a smartphone.
- Smartphone operating system usage is divided: 57% use Apple iOS, 37% use Android, and 6% use Blackberry OS.
- 96% of respondents do not own a tablet computer, 76% have no intention of purchasing one, and those that will purchase will do so at least 6 months in the future.
- 75% of respondents indicated that they visit an IUB Library daily.
- Library Web Site usage is more divided: Daily 39%, Weekly 24%, Occasionally (every couple of weeks) 24%, Seldom (once or twice a semester) 13%.
- Respondents reported their most heavily utilized services on the Library Web Site are IUCat and Research Databases.
- The most requested additions to the IU Libraries Mobile Site are access to IUCat and Research Databases.
- Facebook, Google, and e-mail were cited as the most frequently used web sites, followed by OnCourse and OneStart.
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