Monday, May 12, 2008
SURVEY SAYS PORTAGE DISTRICT LIBRARY IS HITTING THE MARK
Portage District Library is conducting a number of surveys this year because we want to be sure that what we are doing is worthwhile to you and that you are feeling satisfied (or better) with your library. We have just received the results of a recent mail survey in which we asked some general and specific questions about the library and offered an opportunity for respondents to give feedback in open-ended questions. Since our goal was to obtain opinions and preferences about the library from a representative cross-section sampling of our library patron population, this survey was mailed to 2,000 randomly selected registered borrowers. Out of those, we received 397 responses - a sufficient number to get a good assessment. Once again, the library was assisted with our survey by Dr. David Hartman (Director) and his staff at the Kercher Center for Social Research at Western Michigan University who administered the survey tool and compiled, organized and analyzed the responses. Here are some interesting statistics from that survey:
> When asked HOW OFTEN they used the library, 48.2% answered "once a month" and 24.7% said at least once a week.
> When questioned about their primary use of the library, 73.1% said for personal enjoyment and 14.4% said for children's use.
> When asked "WHY do you usually visit the library?" 89.6% responded it was to borrow materials; 35.2% said it was for reference/research; 21.5% said it was to use the Youth Services area; and the balance of respondents indicated a variety of other reasons including: to attend programs, to study/work, to use the Internet, to read magazines & newspapers, to get homework help, to use the Business Room, or to meet and relax with friends.
> When questioned about what services they used when visiting the library's website, 45.8% said they searched the library catalog, 32.7% said they checked their account or reserved books, 21.9% said they found out about events and classes and 13% said it was to find out about open hours or location.
> When asked: "How easy is it to find what you are looking for?" 51% of respondents said it was extremely easy and 48.5% said moderately easy, which indicates to us that we have done a good job of making our collections, resources and public spaces user friendly.
> The very BEST outcome of this survey was responses to the questions: "Are the library facilities welcoming, clean and comfortable?" (99.5% said Yes!) and "Is the library staff responding quickly to your inquiries and requests?" (94.1% said Yes!)
These responses indicate to us that patrons are using the library and our website in ways that we anticipated they would and that we are allocating our budgetary resources in appropriate areas. The high ratings confirm that we are hitting the mark in our goals of making the library a desirable destination and optimizing patron access to library services and resources… and this is GREAT NEWS for our community! Thanks to everyone who participated in this survey and I encourage all of you to continue to share your opinions.
> When asked HOW OFTEN they used the library, 48.2% answered "once a month" and 24.7% said at least once a week.
> When questioned about their primary use of the library, 73.1% said for personal enjoyment and 14.4% said for children's use.
> When asked "WHY do you usually visit the library?" 89.6% responded it was to borrow materials; 35.2% said it was for reference/research; 21.5% said it was to use the Youth Services area; and the balance of respondents indicated a variety of other reasons including: to attend programs, to study/work, to use the Internet, to read magazines & newspapers, to get homework help, to use the Business Room, or to meet and relax with friends.
> When questioned about what services they used when visiting the library's website, 45.8% said they searched the library catalog, 32.7% said they checked their account or reserved books, 21.9% said they found out about events and classes and 13% said it was to find out about open hours or location.
> When asked: "How easy is it to find what you are looking for?" 51% of respondents said it was extremely easy and 48.5% said moderately easy, which indicates to us that we have done a good job of making our collections, resources and public spaces user friendly.
> The very BEST outcome of this survey was responses to the questions: "Are the library facilities welcoming, clean and comfortable?" (99.5% said Yes!) and "Is the library staff responding quickly to your inquiries and requests?" (94.1% said Yes!)
These responses indicate to us that patrons are using the library and our website in ways that we anticipated they would and that we are allocating our budgetary resources in appropriate areas. The high ratings confirm that we are hitting the mark in our goals of making the library a desirable destination and optimizing patron access to library services and resources… and this is GREAT NEWS for our community! Thanks to everyone who participated in this survey and I encourage all of you to continue to share your opinions.
