This was released on July 28th and it shows that people love the Seattle Public Library and that the Seattle Public Library has done good reseach to ot rest on their laurels but to improve.
The Seattle Public Library
COMMUNITY SURVEY SUMMARY>
52 Page PDF
Highlights
Seattle Residents Love their Libraries
The Library is used broadly and frequently by Seattle residents and plays an important role in many survey respondents’ lives
Visits to Library buildings have increased significantly since the start of Libraries for All
Two-thirds of Seattle residents are card holders, and many of them are active Library users
Respondents are generally very satisfied with the services they get from the Library
Survey respondents – especially those who frequent five-day branches – would like longer operating hours
The Library is Most Valued for its Collections and Community Resources
The Library’s most valued service is providing content
Survey respondents support the Library’s mission of serving a broad population by providing technology, materials, and literacy promotion to people who might not otherwise have access
Circulation of books and materials at The Seattle Public Library has grown by 136% from 2000 to 2009
Respondents want Library resources to be focused on collections
Use of the collections dominate respondents’ activities at the Library
One quarter of Library items checked out had been reserved by the borrower
In an increasingly digital age, physical materials are still fundamental
Library personnel are valued by many respondents for assistance in finding the information they seek or their next good read
Some respondent groups are interested in personalized recommendations
The Library’s Web site is a Popular Online Destination
The Library’s Web site is heavily used Demand for online resources is growing
Online publications are a valued research resource
Online resources should be made easier to use
Most respondents access the Library’s online resources from outside the Library
Respondents are Interested in Actively Engaging with Information and Interacting with Others
Many respondents express an interest in patron-generated content
Literary events and educational programs are the most desired forms of programming
Weekday evenings are the first choice for Library programming
Awareness of Library Resources Can be Strengthened
Awareness of some specialized Library resources is low
Respondents prefer electronic communications
From Key Findings From the Community Survey via a SPL Web Page
“Nearly 33,000 people completed the community survey between May 3-May 16 – a number equal to 5% of the city’s population. The survey contained 29 questions asking everything from frequency of use to how easy it was to find information or download online resources. A detailed summary of the survey results is now available.
The survey, conducted as part of the Library’s strategic planning process, was intended to capture a snapshot of current use and service gaps.
Respondents said they were very satisfied with the Library. Of the people who answered the survey:
+ 95% either agreed or strongly agreed that they usually get what they want when they use the Library
+ 94% chose providing materials as one of the two most important Library offerings
+ 62% visited a Library two or more times in a typical month
+ 38% visited the Library at least once a week
+ Lower income, non-white and non-English speakers were more likely to use the Library more than five times a month
+ Most people found it easy to check out books and materials, pick up holds and believed Library buildings were safe and clean
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Why people come to the Library (note: respondents could select multiple choices):
+ 85% come to pick up holds or check out materials
+ 42% come to browse or read
+ 22% come to use a computer and 14% to use the wireless network. Respondents with higher incomes and education levels were less likely to use the wireless network and computers
+ 41% of teens aged 15 – 19 use the Library to study or do homework
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Staff assistance valued:
+ 66% said Library staff members were most valued for their help with reference or research questions
+ 29% said getting reading recommendations from staff was also important
Online resources popular:
+ 89% said they used the Library’s website at least once a month and almost half reported visiting the website at least once a week. Teen respondents visited the website even more frequently.
+ 55% said reference databases (articles and magazines) were among the most important electronic resources provided by the Library
+ 45% said downloadable media, such as e-books, video and audio, was the second highest ranking resource
+ 39% said the ease of using e-books and other online resources needed improvement
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Emerging trends:
+ 54% want to create their own content online and share it with others
+ 42% want online discussion groups about current events
More awareness of specialized services needed:
+ The majority of people were unaware the Library offered online magazines and newspapers, online or in person homework help, or online Library staff assistance and classes for non-English speakers.”
The report is very well done and nicely visual. It’s an easy and edifying read. I wish every library had this kind of data and insights!
Thanks to Gary Price and Resource Shelf for the heads up.
Stephen
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