Sample Library Survey
| Prior to going to the public for a vote on a budget, it is critical that a library have an accurate understanding of how the community feels about its operations and services. This can be accomplished by a survey of both users and non-users. Survey results can pinpoint reasons why some segments of the community are not using the library or what services can be offered to increase usage. The higher the percentage of library users there are within the community, the greater chance there will be for a positive vote on the library budget. Survey results, especially responses to open-ended questions, can also provide clues as to any organized opposition within the community to the library budget vote. This will provide an advance opportunity to take corrective actions to “win over” opposition prior to the budget vote. The survey format and the process for collecting data used by libraries will vary depending on the size of the community and the information being sought. Here is one example of a fairly simple survey that can be used as a template. |
Dear Neighbor:
The Board of Trustees of the XYZ Public Library is updating the long-range plan that will guide future development of the library. In order for the plan to reflect your ideas and interests, we ask that you take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. When you are finished, please bring it to the library or drop it in special boxes located at xxxxxx.xxxxx, and the xxxxxx by (date). Thank you for your assistance.
1. Are you:
___ Male
___ Female
2. Your age:
___ Under18
___ 18-35
___ 36-55
___ Over 55
3. Your residence:
___ XYZ Town
___ ABC Town
___ DEF Town
___ Other ___________________
4. Do you use the XYZ Library?
___ Yes
___ No -- Please skip to Question 9 and continue
5. How long ago was your last visit to the library? (check one)
___ within last 3 months
___ 3 to 6 months ago
___ 7 months to a year
___ more than a year ago -- Please skip to Question 9 and continue
6. During the past year, have you: (Check All That Apply)
___ Checked out books |
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7a. Please rate the following services and collections of the XYZ Library:
Fine |
Needs a little improvement |
Needs a lot of improvement |
Don't know |
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a. Adult fiction |
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b. Adult nonfiction |
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c. Children’s fiction |
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d. Children’s nonfiction |
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e. Large print books |
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f. Books on tape |
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g. Interlibrary loan |
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h. Magazines |
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i. Newspapers |
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j. Reference help |
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k. Adult videos/DVDs |
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l. Children’s videos/DVDs |
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m. CDs |
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n. Copy machine |
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o. Computers -- adult |
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p. Computers -- children |
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q. Meeting room |
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r. Adult programs |
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s. Children’s programs |
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t. Courtesy of library staff |
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u. Helpfulness of staff |
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v. Overall size of collection |
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w. Quality of collection |
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x. Furnishings and décor |
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y. Parking |
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z. Hours of operation |
7b. Go back to Question 7a and circle the letter next to those items that are very important to you personally. (For example, if courtesy of library staff is very important to you, then circle the letter ”s” in the question.)
8. (Skip this question if you have visited the XYZ Library within the past year) Why haven’t you visited the XYZ Library in the last year?
___ Don’t use libraries
___ Location not convenient
___ Hours not convenient
___ Don’t know where it is
___ Don’t know what it has to offer
___ Other (please explain) ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
9. In the past year have you visited any other library?
___ Yes -- Which one? __________________________________________
___ No -- Please skip to Question 12 and continue
10. (If yes to Question 9), why did you visit that library rather than the XYZ Library?
___ More convenient location
___ More convenient hours
___ Better atmosphere
___ Had what I need (please explain) ___________________________
___ Attended a program or meeting
___ Other (please explain) ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
11. What segments of the community should the library do a better job of serving (for example, pre-schoolers, senior citizens, etc.)?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
12. What specific kinds of programs and activities would you like to have the library conduct?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
13. What changes would the library need to make so that you would be more satisfied with its services?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
14. Would you support efforts to improve XYZ Library facilities or services through increased community funding?
___ definitely
___ probably
___ probably not
___ definitely not
___ don’t know?
15. During the past year, have you or anyone in your household done any of the following?
Yes |
No |
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a. Rented or purchased a prerecorded video tape or DVD |
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b. Used an on-line service such as Prodigy or America Online |
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c. Purchased a book for pleasure reading |
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d. Purchased a reference book |
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e. Purchased a CD |
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f. Purchased/subscribed to a magazine |
16. Do you?
Yes |
No |
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Own a personal computer? |
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Use a computer at work? |
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Currently have access to the Internet? |
17. Please rank your overall satisfaction with the XYZ Library.
___ Excellent
___ Good
___ Fair
___ Poor
___ Don’t know
18. Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and comments
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