With the support of an internal grant, the Washington State University Library Instruction Department was able to undertake an assessment program to measure the use and effectiveness of online tutorials built by the department. Students viewed four of the tutorial products and were asked to perform tasks using these tutorials. They also answered a number of questions designed to garner information about attitudes, usage patterns and perceptions of library resources and services. Results of the assessment activities and future plans for improving and expanding our tutorial offerings are discussed.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review the basic principles of qualitative analysis, and examine the practical application of these principles to analyze student assignments using the ATLAS.ti software. Design/methodology/approach -Student comments from an assignment are prepared for import into ATLAS.ti. The comments are coded, and then analyzed for patterns using ATLAS.ti and its mechanisms for exploring data and data patterns. Findings -ATLAS.ti offers myriad analytic tools that allow the researcher to quantify qualitative information through coding, data query, cross-tabulation, and networked visualization of project design. By developing both technical expertise with the software, and developing familiarity with qualitative methodology, librarians can wield an effective means to assess and evaluate text-based data, such as student assignments or surveys. Research limitations/implications -Because the ATLAS.ti software, and the qualitative analysis process itself is so complex, this article can only outline the most prominent aspects of the tool. Practical implications -The document can serve as a "jumping-off" point for other researchers wishing to either explore the qualitative analysis process, particularly as conducted with ATLAS.ti. The reader will become more familiar with the basic concepts of qualitative analysis as reflected in the organization and functions of the ATLAS.ti, as well as the process of preparing and analyzing textual information with ATLAS.ti. Originality/value -Because there is a general lack of literature on setting up a project with the software, the article is potentially valuable to anyone wishing to expand and improve their evaluative skills using ATLAS.ti or similar tools.

Many distance degree students at Washington State University enroll in General Education 300, a one-credit information literacy course taught online by librarians that exposes students to activities and materials that support the ACRL information literacy standards. In a final assignment, students write about the origins, applicability, and future use of information literacy and their newly minted skills in this area. We used ATLAS/ti, http://www.atlasti.de/, to analyze the text of these assignments and explore student attitudes toward information literacy. The majority of students articulate a broad view of information literacy not tied to a specific course project or to the library as a place.

Objective -Washington State University (WSU) Pullman campus librarians track a diverse set of reference statistics to gain a "holistic" look at local reference transaction trends. Our aim was to aggregate virtual, reference desk and office transaction data over the course of three years to determine staffing levels. Specifically, we asked "Where should reference librarians be to answer questions?" Methods -Using Springshare's LibAnalytics, we generated longitudinal (2012)(2013)(2014) statistics and data, to help us assess the patterns and trends of patron question numbers, types, Practice 2015, 10.4 174 communication modes, and locations in the Terrell Library. With this data, we considered current staffing patterns and how we could best address patron needs. Evidence Based Library and InformationResults -Researchers found that compiling data across modalities of location, communication, question type, and the READ Scale led to a better understanding of user behavior trends.Conclusion -Examining and interpreting a more inclusive and richer set of transaction statistics gives reference managers a better picture of how patrons are seeking help, and can serve as a basis for making staffing decisions.

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