Dear list members

I am currently studying for my MA in Information and Library Management
with University of Northumbria, and the subject of my final year
dissertation is improving the use and reliability of self-issue using
six sigma methodology. As part of the study I need to find out current
statistics on the use of self-issue and how institutions encourage use
of them, and also how reliable the units are, what types of problems are
encountered and what methods (if any)are in place for reporting faults.
If you have self-issue at your institution I would be grateful if you
could complete the following questionnaire and return it to me either by
email or if you prefer by post to the address given. I will compile the
results and would be happy to feed back to any interested parties later
in the year.

Thank you in anticipation

Susan Kumi

___________________
Susan Kumi
Reader Services
Robinson Library
Tel: 0191 222 7670 
____________________

Questionnaire on self-issue use and reliability

If you prefer to print and post this questionnaire please return to:

        Susan Kumi
        Reader Services,
        Robinson Library
        University of Newcastle upon Tyne
        NE2 4HQ


1) Name of institution

2) How many users do you have?

3) Which self-issue system do you use?

4) How many staff on average work on the issue desk whilst the library
is open?

5) How many self-issue terminals do you have?

6) Where are they located in relation to the issue desk?

7) When were they introduced?

8) Why did you choose to invest in self-issue? Please mark with an x.
Mark all that apply:
        Increase opening hours...............
        Extend service hours..................
        Increasing number of users.........
        Enable redeployment of staff......
        Reduce need for more staff.........
        Other (please state)	


9) What type of material can be borrowed using self-issue? Please mark
with an x. Mark all that apply:
        Books...............
        Journals............
        CDRoms.........
        Videos............
        Tapes...............
        Other (Please
specify)............................................................


Self issue usage

10) Please state the current average percentage use of self issue for
the following periods:
        Weekly..........................................%
        Monthly..........................................%
(If you do not have them for this period please note any relevant usage
statistics you may have)


11) Has this figure increased since you first introduced the units?
Please mark with an x:

        Yes.........No.........


12) Why do you think this is?


13) How do you encourage use of self-issue? Please mark with an x. Mark
all that apply:
        Publicity (please say what eg posters,
bookmarks)................
        Less staff on the desk......
        Periods of user support from staff (please state when eg
beginning of academic year)

        Other (please specify)
	
14) Are you satisfied with the current level of usage of self issue?
Please mark with an x:

        Yes ......... No.........

If yes go to Question 18

15) If no, what percentage would you like to see?


16) Is increasing the use of self-issue part of your institutions
objectives?
	
        Yes......No......

17) If yes, how do you plan to achieve it?


Problems with self-issue

18) What stops your users using the self-issue service? Please mark with
an x. Mark all that apply:
        Library
problem:Fines.........................................................
                            Overdue
item................................................
                          Reserved
item.............................................
        Item problem:
Barcode.........................................................
                          Item type not able to be issued eg Audio
Visual......
        User problem:
Technophobia................................................
                             User doesn't know how to use the
unit..................                        
        Unit
problem.................................................................
.......
        Other (please
specify)............................................................
	
19) What are the main problems experienced with self-issue units? Please
mark with an x. Mark all that apply:
        Users not using them
correctly.............................................
        Software
faults...............................................................
        Problems with stock (barcodes, audio-visual
material)............
        Hardware
faults...............................................................
        Problems with Library Management
System...........................
        Other (Please state)

20) How often have the self-issue units been out of order in the past 3
months? Please mark with an x:
        0-5.........
        6-10......
        More than 10......

21) What are the most common reasons for breakdowns? (Please describe) 


22) Do you have a fault reporting system in place to deal with
software/hardware problems? Please mark with an x:

        Yes.........    No..................

23) If yes how does this work?  	


24) On the whole how reliable are the self-issue units? Please mark with
an x:
        Very reliable - they hardly ever break
down....................................
        Reliable - they break down
occasionally....................................
        Unreliable - they break down more than
usual.................................
        Very unreliable - they are always breaking
down..............................

25) Please add any other comments about the use and reliability of
self-issue which you think may be helpful 





Thank you for completing this questionnaire

____________________
Susan Kumi
Reader Services
Robinson Library
Tel: 0191 222 7670 
____________________