Personal Interview Survey Sample (off-site)

Hello, my name is _____________________, from the ___________ Library/Company. We are conducting a survey regarding you and your family's use of public libraries.

1. Would you be willing to take 10 minutes to participate?

___ Yes
___ No, but later ok
___ refused

2. Within the last six months, have you used the _________ (name of library) either by visiting in person, asking a question by telephone or by using the library web site?

___ yes (skip to question #3)
___ no (continue to “A”)

A. Have you used any library (school, university, corporate, medical) in the last six months?

___ yes (library name) _______________________
___ school
___ university
___ corporate
___ medical
___ other

B. Why don't you use the _______________ Library? (probe)

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

(End survey here for non-user survey participants)

3. Please describe your last visit, phone contract or web site visit with the ___________ Library.

A. Did you visit in person, telephone the library, or use the web site?

___ phone (skip to question #5)
___ web site (skip to question #5)
___ visit in person (go to 3B)

B. Did you visit

___ on a weekday
___ in the evening
___ on the weekend

C. Did you ask a staff person for help?

___ yes
___ no

D. Did you borrow a book, video, CD or other materials during your visit?

___ yes
___ no

E. Did you use materials or resources in the library?

___ yes
___ no

F. Did you use a library computer to assess the Internet or other computer resources?

___ yes
___ no

G. Did you attend a program, event or meeting?

___ yes
___ no

4. Describe any other services you used at the library during your last visit (open-ended)

_______________________________________________________________

5. Please describe your phone contract or web site visit.

A. Did you request a book, video, CD or other type of library material?

___ yes
___ no

B. Were you seeking reference (research) information?

___ yes
___ no

C. Did you have a question about library hours, location(s) programs or services?

___ yes
___ no

6. I'm going to read some statements that describe the service you received during your last visit, phone call or web site usage. If you agree with the statement, please say, "yes." If you disagree, please say "no." If the service was not applicable, please say so.	Yes	No	Not Applicable
a. The library had the material I needed	___	___	___
b. The material or information I wanted was easy to find	___	___	___
c. The library staff person was helpful	___	___	___
d. I received prompt service	___	___	___
e. The hours of operation were convenient	___	___	___

7. Please tell us if you agree, disagree or find the following statements not applicable:	Yes	No	Not Applicable
a. I would like library to be open more hours a week	___	___	___
b. I would like the library to be open more evenings during the week	___	___	___
c. I would like the library to be open on (Saturdays, Sundays, weekends)	___	___	___
d. I would like the library to have more materials (books, videos, CDs, etc.)	___	___	___
e. I would like the library to provide more computer access (to the Internet, electronic databases or other computer services)	___	___	___
f. I would like the library to have more parking	___	___	___
g. I would like the library to have more programs	___	___	___
h. I would like the library to provide faster customer service	___	___	___

8. Is there any other library service improvement you would like to see?

___________________________________________________________

We ask the following questions to ensure we have a valid sample.

9. What is the highest level of education you have attained?
___ completed grade school	___ some college but did not earn a degree
___ some high school	___ associate's degree
___ high school graduate	___ bachelor's degree
	___ advanced degree/professional degree

10. In which zip code do you live? ____________________________

11. In what year were you born? ______________________________

12. What is your gender?

___ male
___ female

13. What is your racial or ethnic heritage?
___ Caucasian/white/European immigrant	___ Hispanic/Latin/Caribbean
___ African American/Black	___ Asian
___ Native American	___ Other ___________________

14. In what category does your annual household income fall?
___ less than $15,000	___ between $35,000 and $49,999
___ between $15,000 and $24,999	___ between $50,000 and $74,999
___ between $25,000 and $34,999	___ $75,000 and over.

Thank you for participating in our survey today!

Return to Community Library Survey Tutorial

Last Updated: July 29, 2009 -- asm [created January 27, 2005]; for questions or comments, contact us

Library Development