[Publib] community surveys

[rstorey]

Hi Cathy--
 
What has worked for me in the past, when doing such surveys in several
smaller libraries in Colorado:
 
1.    How did you survey non users

 

 In person at grocery stores and banks, on specific days and times that
would catch people at [relatively] more relaxed times; surveys conducted by
Friends group, board members, and/or volunteers.  One community did a phone
survey, careful to avoid the dinner rush hour.

 

2.    Did putting a survey on the library's webpage work

 

This wasn't an option for us at the time.  While it's one way to gather
information, it will be filled out only by people who happen to see it on
the web page and who are highly motivated to provide their opinions, whether
positive or otherwise.

 

3.    How did you promote the survey; i.e. newspaper story, radio, etc.

 

    Newspaper stories were done in several communities; can't hurt.

 

4.    Any specific questions that you found that really were good, or any
that really did not give you any information

*	

	Is there another library you use regularly?  Which one?
*	

	Which of the following items have you used or checked out from the
library [10-12 choices listed]
*	

	Which of the following services have you used [10-12 choices listed]
*	

	How often do you find what you're looking for [Less than 50%,
50-75%, More than 75%]
*	

	Which of the following would increase your use of or satisfaction
with the library [10-12 choices offered--all of which were possible to
implement, e.g. more material for teens, more copies of popular titles, more
help finding answers or materials]

 

 

5.    General information or tips    

*	

	    Ask only the questions you really want answers to
*	

	    Don't raise expectations if you can't deliver, e.g. if you have
no plans to open on Sundays, don't ask an open-ended question about days and
hours.  The act of surveying can be a powerful PR tool, since awareness
level will raise, especially among nonusers, you may find you have a bump in
registrations and/or use.  But you don't want it to backfire.
*	

	For each question you ask, be clear about why you want the answer
and what use you'll make of it
*	

	Consider surveying students at school, partnering with the
library/media specialist.

 
Hope that helps.  Cheers--Ronnie
 
 
 
Ronnie Storey
Public Services Administrator 
Rangeview Library District
Northglenn, CO
 
 


  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Cathy L. Reeves
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:58 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] community surveys



Fellow librarians,

 

We have a committee that is looking at the services and materials we are
providing to the community. We are considering conducting a survey to
determine if we are actually meeting their needs. At the same time we would
like to survey non users to see why they do not use the library or if they
would come to the library. Knowing that people will not fill out a long
survey we are trying to keep it short and to the point. If anyone has any
advice we would welcome it. We are also trying to keep the costs under
control. Specific questions we have are:

 

1.    How did you survey non users

2.    Did putting a survey on the library's webpage work

3.    How did you promote the survey; i.e. newspaper story, radio, etc.

4.    Any specific questions that you found that really were good, or any
that really did not give you any information

5.    General information or tips

 

Thanks for any advice you can give us.

 

Cathy Reeves

Dodge City Public Library

Dodge City KS

cathyr at trails.net

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