The Use of a Survey to Establish Service Priorities in the Library of the National Museums of Scotland

In 1991 the library of the National Museums of Scotland undertook a survey of the information needs of library users among NMS staff. The aim of the survey was to obtain users′ views about what services they required, to assist in the establishment of clear priorities for future library activity. A questionnaire was sent to 176 staff, and the response rate was 72 per cent. The results showed that respondents placed a high value on traditional services, such as books and journal supply and the catalogue, but that there was significant interest in newer services such as access to JANET. There was also a need for better publicity about the library and its range of services. The library has developed an action plan for implementing some improvements to services,which were identified as desirable by the survey.