AFBI Impact Survey June 2026
The AFBI Library ran a brief impact survey from 12th – 22nd June 2026 to help to identify the value of the AFBI Library service to AFBI Staff. This was the first time an impact survey had been disseminated to AFBI Staff since March 2022. The four questions were:
1. What has the Library helped you with recently?
2. In what way did the Library help?
3. What was the outcome?
4. Did our help have a positive impact on your work? Tell us how.
11 responses were received, providing the Library with valuable evidence of the positive impact of our service. The responses highlighted the importance of AFBI Library’s services and resources in supporting the research-intensive work undertaken by AFBI Staff.
Survey responses by area of Library help
The responses to Question 1 – ‘What has the Library helped you with recently?’ broadly fell into the following categories:
· Literature searches – 55%
· Resources (books, journals and databases) – 45%
· EndNote and reference management support – 36%
· Interlibrary loans – 9%
· Training – 9%
· Library space – 9%
The responses reflected the importance of the literature searching service to AFBI Staff in helping their work (55%). Clearly, Library users appreciated being able to request a literature search, receive training and support, and subsequently access key results from these searches, to further their work and research. Provision of resources (45%) was also very important to AFBI staff, with books, journals and databases all available to Library users via the website. Other responses also highlighted the impact of support in other areas, including EndNote/reference management support, training, Inter Library Loans, as well as the library space itself.
Another key theme, identified in 55% of responses, was the quick speed with which their enquiry was dealt with and the responsiveness of library staff. This is encouraging, as the Library is mindful of, and responsive to, the deadline pressures of some AFBI work. This is an area where the Library’s Standards of Service are applied to day-to-day work. The QUB Library has recently revalidated its Customer Service Excellence accreditation, and AFBI staff are a key beneficiary of the ongoing high standards of customer service.
The impact of the support provided was clear. Respondents reported how it helped them various areas of their work, from completing publications and reviews, meeting project deadlines, identifying new approaches, successfully disseminate scientific findings, and increased efficiency and time savings. For example:
– Searches enabled timely completion of a number of papers, which achieved successful peer-review reports in record time.
– Yes, there was a positive impact provided through rapid access to up to date literature that will ultimately benefit the evolution of our knowledge acquisition and research conduct.
– Everything was made available immediately which means I am on track with the project’s deadlines.
– The deadline for my work was met
– it helped me to consider a different technique
– I was able to use WoS to build a search query for a specific topic I was researching. This helped focus my literature search and saved me a lot of time in my work.
The Library constantly seeks to improve services to AFBI staff, demonstrate value for money, and provide a high standard of customer service. The survey has confirmed that AFBI Staff appreciate the Library’s efforts in this regard, and that the Library plays a key role in helping staff deliver their work.
Thank you to all who took the time to respond to the survey. Although the survey has closed the Library is always grateful for case studies highlighting the impact of our service. If you have any such examples please contact afbilib@qub.ac.uk.
