Your Library Connection

Your Library Connection February ‘05
Library Community Survey Results

Part Two

The Independence Public Library Board sent out a community survey in late September to get feedback on facility, collection, staffing, hours, and services.  There were several purposes in asking for feedback:  to evaluate current offerings, to help the library board determine a direction for the future of the Independence Public Library in different areas, and to fulfill state standard requirements.  Surveys were sent out randomly to one third of households in Independence.  We had a 34% return rate with the surveys, receiving 246 of 727 mailed.  According to Roy Kenagy, a library service area consultant, “generally a 10% return for library surveys is considered exceptional.” 

Below is a summary of the demographics of those responding.  Following that are the questions and a summary of responses related to library usage and patterns, collection, days and hours, and staffing at the library.  This is a continuation of last month’s library connection article that told the survey results for services, programming, and facility. 

If the question is followed by the statement more than one reason could be marked, the total percentage will equal more than 100% because each response could have more than one answer marked by each person completing the survey.  The responses are in the order of highest percentage to lowest percentage to enable you to skim and check priorities, not by the order they were placed on the original surveys. 

Demographics:
Age:
34% were 40-59 years of age, 30% were 60-79 years of age, 24% were 18-39 years of age, and 11% were over 80 years of age.

Gender:
76% Female and 24% Male

Children:
39 households had children in the 0-6 years of age group.
40 households had children in the 7-11 years of age group.
45 households had children in the 12-18 years of age group.

Library Usage and Patterns:
What is the main reason you do not use the Independence Public Library? (more than one reason could be marked)

I prefer to purchase my own books, magazines, and newspapers  40%
I don’t read very often 34%
I have computer access elsewhere 26%
Other   22%
I have access to needed information from other sources 16%
I am not interested in the programs offered by the library   10%
I use another area library 3%


Do you currently have a library card from the Independence Public Library?

Yes  79%
No 21%

                            

How often have you visited or telephoned the Independence Public Library within the past year?

Monthly 40%
Less than once a year  24%
Weekly  18%
Yearly  17%

                                              
What is your main reason for visiting the library? (more than one reason could be marked)

To borrow materials to read, to listen to, or to watch for enjoyment 72%
To gather information  47%
To use the computers   19%
To attend children or adult programming 10%
To find a quiet place to read or think 10%
To do homework 5%
Other 3%


Have you used the library’s website www.indylibrary.org?

No  83%
Yes 17%


Have you used the library’s magazines and/or newspapers during the past year?

No  61%
Yes 39%


About how many books have you read within the past year?

1-12  49%
25 or more 25%
13-24  17%
None   8%


From what sources do you usually get the books you read? (more than one source could be marked)

From the public library 56%
Purchase from store or book club 55%
Borrow from another person   32%
Receive as gifts   27%
From the school library 7%
Other   6%


Have you ever used the computers at the library?

Yes 78%
No 22%


Collection:
Are you generally satisfied with the material offered at the library?

Yes  71%
Don’t know  20%
No 9%


What would you like to see the library offer for checkout? (more than one answer could be marked)

More books  66%
More movies   50%
More books on tape 36%
More children’s books   26%
More computer software 25%
New area – Music CDs 23%
New area – Puzzles 17%
Other    12%
New area – Cake Pans (different shapes and characters) 10%
More ABC kits    4%

 
Days and Hours:
Are you generally satisfied with the days the library is open?

Yes 78%
Don’t know 15%
No 7%


Are you generally satisfied with the hours the library is open?

Yes 75%
Don’t know 15%
No 10%


Staffing:
Are you generally satisfied with the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff?

Yes 85%
Don’t know 13%
No 2%

 

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