Your Library Connection
Aha!!
Surprises and Challenges
March 2005
The last two months you may have read my article outlining
the results from our library survey. The
results were very interesting and will be factored into future library
decisions. I really appreciate
people taking the time to complete the survey and getting it back to us!
Thank you!! Here are a few
of my reactions from the survey.
The response that…
Surprises me the
most
The library website (www.indylibrary.org)
was one of my goals when I started here. I
have been excited about an additional method of communication and one that many
people can easily access. Though I
thought I had done a good job of getting the word out about our website, the
survey has proven me wrong! Only
17% of those responding have used the website.
Yikes!! There is a lot of
good information and pictures about events and programming that we offer; the
ability to search our book/audiobook/DVD/etc. collections; links to great
websites in areas such as health/medicine, genealogy, employment, news/weather,
the Independence community; and lots of other helpful information.
Once again, the web address is www.indylibrary.org.
Take a look and let me know what you think!
Pleases me the most
Though I was not surprised, I was very happy to see that our staff
helpfulness and friendliness rated very high. I am blessed to have a wonderful staff, and the numbers
reflect this. 85%, or 176 people
said that they are satisfied with the staff.
Only 2%, or 5 people responded that they are not happy with the staff.
The remaining percentage (13%) responded with 3) Don’t Know.
I agree that the staff does a great job helping patrons locate books that
they would enjoy, answering reference questions, getting materials ready for the
shelves, offering programs, and keeping track of all the materials! Kudos to our library staff!!
Confirms my thoughts
As I consider why people may not use our library, one thing that immediately
comes to mind is book stores and purchasing books instead of borrowing them from
a library. 40% of those responding
to the question of why they do not use the Independence Public Library marked a preference to
purchase their own reading materials. I
understand the draw to book stores! It
is so much fun to go to a book store and browse in the welcoming environment,
look through beautiful displays, and take advantage of the quiet seating areas
to read or work. The hope is to
offer all of those advantages in our new facility, which is now in the beginning
planning stages. I would like to
make one quick comparison in regards to purchasing reading materials, then on to
the next survey aha! The
Independence Public Library income per capita for 2003-2004 was $24.82…you pay
for this in taxes as most of our revenue comes from city, county, and state
funds. For less than the cost of one hardcover book (for which you
have already paid), you have access to the 28,000 plus materials that we own
plus the 12 million plus items available through interlibrary loan.
Illustrates the
importance of a service we offer
68% of those answering the question about adult and family programming
replied that his or her family would have an interest in computer instruction.
This is one area that we have emphasized during the last year…our basic
computer classes. We offer them
free of charge, and are able to do this because of generous sponsorships from
local groups like Independence Light and Power, BankIowa, Friends of the
Independence Public Library, Independence Federal Bank for Savings, and
Independence Rotary. We don’t
have enough sponsorships to continually offer the classes but have enough demand
that we easily could fill the classes, so if you are part of a group that would
like to sponsor a month of classes please contact me at the library (lblaker@indytel.com
or 334-2470). We have had lots of
interest, and I am glad to see that we are on target with public demand for this
type of programming.
Challenges me to
consider making a change
The library board and staff have discussed young adult programming and what
we would like to do in that area. We
would like to expand our offerings, and it looks like you think we should as
well. 76% of respondents said that
we should offer a summer reading program for young adults.
Currently our staff and budget are stretched to the point that we are
unable to add an on-going program such as this.
I think it is extremely important that we serve this age group by
offering materials, programming, space, and involvement opportunities.
Your responses show me that it is a community priority, and, therefore,
it will be an area that will be a priority for the library board and staff as we
are able to make changes.
Thanks again for all of you who took time to fill out and return our library survey! It is much appreciated. The results will be considered when the library board makes decisions and plans for the future.
Library
Tidbits:
Computer classes for March will be the mornings of Tuesday the 22nd
and Tuesday the 29th. They
are sponsored by the Friends of the Independence Public Library.
A combined 2-hour class of Basic Computing and Word will be the 22nd,
and a combined 2-hour class of Basic Internet and E-mail will be on the 29th.
You must register to attend and space is limited, so call 334-2470 if you
are interested.
A bus tour sponsored by the Friends of the Independence Public Library will make
the trip to the Anamosa Public Library on April 9th.
Get more info at the library, on our website, or call 334-2866.
National Library Week is April 10th-April 16th.
We will be having an author visit…see below for more information and
watch the paper and website (www.indylibrary.org)
for more information on events and special programming during the week.
Author of children’s books, Pam Flowers, will be presenting a program about
her dogsled expeditions at the VFW building on April 11th.
Stop at our booth at the Early Childhood Fair at the Falcon Civic Center on
April 16th.
Home Pictures Donations Services Calendar of Events Web and Reference Resources Kids' Resources New Books and Materials Online Catalog Community Resources Library Connections Friends of the Library