2018 Law Library Student Survey - Comments
Law Library Response to 2018 Student Survey
Each spring, the Law Library conducts a survey of our students. In 2018, 370 students responded to our survey, and we published summary charts of responses back in April. Now we’re publishing a survey response, to show examples of changes to library facilities, content and services guided by the useful student input.
View past annual surveys here.
Following are representative student comments and notes on changes we’ve made in response to feedback. Most work was done over the summer.
New Library Catalog (Primo)
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:
- I am also affiliated with the GU main campus, and find their library’s search engine to be more all encompassing. Though I do not know if it offers access to a greater number of sources, I do encourage my friends to use that engine when they want to expand their searches.
- More current policy-related books (perhaps at the expense of replacing books for which material is available on Lexis/Westlaw).
- Book collection, ability to quickly get books from main campus/WRLC/ILL.
REPLY BY THE LIBRARY:
Over the summer the law library upgraded the tools you use to search for library resources. Replacing both GULLiver and OneSearch, this new catalog provides one-stop searching for books, e-books, articles, databases, and more! This new interface also simplifies the process of requesting books from our partner libraries in the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) and placing interlibrary loan requests via Illiad. When you sign into your account you can easily renew your books and create lists of favorites. If you’re interested in learning more about our new search interface, stop by the reference desk and speak with one of our librarians. You can also send us an email at lawlibref@georgetown.edu.
Juris-M (Zotero For Legal Materials)
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:
- Jurism tutorials (law version of Zotero) would be great.
REPLY BY THE LIBRARY:
Citation management software enables you to collect, organize, edit, and share your research. There are several options out there, but Georgetown Law Library recommends either Zotero or Juris-M, with a preference for Juris-M, as it is specifically designed to handle legal and multilingual citations.
The Library has created a set of video tutorials which focus on installing and using Juris-M:
http://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/zotero_tutorial
Some of the features of Juris-M include:
- Automatic detection of citation information in many scholarly databases, library catalogs, and vendors (such as Amazon).
- Ability to collect, organize, and share research with RAs or co-writers.
- Automatic footnote creation in written work.
If you have further questions or require assistance, please contact the Electronic Resources and Services Department at lawlibraryers@georgetown.edu.
Cool Stuff (Equipment and Accessories Available for Checkout)
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:
- A bit ago I asked to check out a calculator and none were stocked behind the desk; I am hoping the law library will consider adding a few calculators for exam purposes (if they have not already). I am also hoping more phone chargers will be stocked because they are literally always checked out. It is a lucky, lucky day to get a phone charger from the reference desk.
- If the library could have bookstands available for students to use, that would be nice.
- I am very impressed by the cell phone charger rental options.
- The circulation desk does not have the newest type of USB charger that the latest Android phones use so I am unable to check out a charger when my phone is dying.
- Please expand the selection of “cool stuff”: I once forgot a charger for my HP laptop (PC) and the front desk didn’t have a charger that fit my laptop.
REPLY BY THE LIBRARY:
The Library has a variety of items, such as phone and computer chargers as well as USB drives, available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. The latest additions include:
- Book-stands
- Calculators
- Umbrellas
- MacBook Air Charger
- Daylight lamps
Please go to this page for a complete list of circulating items. If you have a suggestion or recommendation for this collection, please send them through our suggestion page.
Group Study Rooms
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:
- It would be great to have more group study rooms with longer reserve periods.
- If possible, offer individual study rooms year round, not just during finals.
- As far as reserving group study rooms, it would be great if we could cancel reservations.
Sometimes plans change and we want to study earlier or later in the day, but we can’t book a
room for more than 3 hours a day and there is currently no way to cancel. This would also free
up space that won’t be used for other students. - More study rooms for groups smaller than 4 people. I often have small group meetings for class, and it is hard to find meeting space elsewhere.
REPLY BY THE LIBRARY:
In addition to the 21 group study rooms (17 in the Williams library and 4 on the third floor of Hotung), the library has converted 4 Scholar Studies into small group study rooms to accommodate a limited number of students, 2 at maximum. These study rooms will require only one Law NetID and can be reserved up to 5 hours a day. An option to cancel the reservation is also be available in the email confirmation for the reserved study room. To reserve your study space, please go to the Group Study Room reservation page
Library FAQs – Ask Us
COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS:
- I noticed that there are some services that I was unaware of their existence. I hope the library could do more to give publicity to these services, esp. like online chat with a librarian.
- I appreciate that the library is constantly seeking feedback and trying to adapt to what the students want. There shouldn’t be any doubt among the students that the library is trying very hard to serve their needs.
- Book collection, ability to quickly get books from main campus/WRLC/ILL.
REPLY BY THE LIBRARY:
The Law Library’s website was redesigned this summer. The information has been re-organized to highlight our robust collections for U.S. law, foreign, comparative and international law and special publications. It also directs users more easily to our services including research consultations and chat with a librarian as well as databases. We also provide a library FAQ where everyday questions about the library are answered: http://ask.ll.georgetown.edu/
Additionally, we implemented a new discovery platform through which our patrons can find our print and digital materials including books, journals, articles, and databases. With the structure of new platform, patrons need only to search and order through our catalog system to discover and borrow books owned by the local consortium libraries.