DigiQUAL Goals

The NSF/NSDL-funded part of the project had the overarching goal of developing a digital library service quality assessment process that enhances student learning by permitting the allocation of resources to areas of user-identified need. The goal was to develop a total market survey appropriate for the digital library environment. To fulfill that goal, the project sought to achieve the following objectives and outcomes within the NSF/NSDL community:

(a) define the dimensions of digital library service quality from the perspective of the users,
(b) develop a tool for measuring user perceptions and expectations of digital library service quality across NSDL digital library contexts,
(c) identify digital library ”best practices” that permit generalizations across operations and development platforms,
(d) enhance student learning by effectively managing user perceptions and expectations of digital library services,
(e) establish a digital library service quality assessment program as an integral part of the library service quality assessment program at ARL, and
(f) institutionalize continuous product and process evaluation efforts directed toward positive and timely management of outcomes.