NORTH RIVERSIDE Public Library North Riverside, IL North Riverside Public Library District Community...

NORTH RIVERSIDE

Public Library

North Riverside, IL

North Riverside Public Library DistrictCommunity Survey Report

September 2015

Purpose and Methodology

2

Community survey conducted to collect data as the primary basis for preparing a new 5-year strategic plan to guide the North Riverside Public Library District

Printed English survey packets distributed to each North Riverside household (bulk U.S. Postal Service mailing of 3,219)

Packets included instructions for how others who would prefer to respond in another language could complete the survey

Survey also available onlineTotal of 329 participants (July 24 – August 22, 2015)

279 (85%) responded using printed questionnaires; 50 were completed online

Overall results have a statistical precision of +/- 5 percentage points with a 95% confidence level

3

Like the survey, this report is organized into 11 section

Report appendixesA – Overall results tableB – Cross-tabulation tablesC – Summary of responses to open-ended and other-specify questions

Rounding of results in the report may cause small variations from data tables

Organization of Report

Library Use & SatisfactionCollection of Materials Library Atmosphere Library Staff Library FacilitiesReference/Research Section

Programs & Events Technology Library Communications Future of the Library DistrictAbout You

4

Nearly two-thirds visit the library weekly (29%) or monthly (21%).Almost half visit the library website at least several times a year.Less than one-third visit other libraries at least several times a year.See Appendix C for summary of follow-up open-ended question Q1b.

Library Use & Satisfaction

Another library

North Riverside Public Library Website

North Riverside Public Library

38%

27%

5%

32%

28%

9%

20%

17%

27%

5%

16%

21%

8%

29% 8%

Did not visit Almost never Several times a year Monthly Weekly Almost Daily

In the past year or so, how frequently did you visit…(Q1)

5

Very dissatis-fied

Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very satisfied Don't Know Have not vis-ited

3% 1% 3%

24%

61%

0% 9%

An overwhelming majority say they were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience as users of the library.

Just 4% say they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.


If you have used Library services in the past year or so, how satisfied were you with the overall experience? (Q2)

Dissatisfied 4% Satisfied (85%)

6

User satisfaction with services is very high.


Researching/using reference materials (Q3i)

Using the library as a place to read, study or work (Q3e)

Using newspapers or magazines (Q3p)

Looking for information in the library catalog (Q3k)

Using copiers, printers, or fax machine (Q3q)

Using Interlibrary Loan (Q3l)

Borrowing music, movies or audio books (Q3h)

Consulting with a librarian (Q3j)

Borrowing books for adults (Q3a)

4%

5%

4%

4%

45%

46%

48%

52%

56%

57%

58%

71%

75%

46%

49%

47%

37%

37%

34%

33%

22%

19%

4%

5%

Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Don't use Unfamiliar with this

If you have used North Riverside Library services in the past year or so, indicate how satisfied you were while doing each of the following…(1st of 2 charts) (Q3)

7

User satisfaction with services is very high.


If you have used North Riverside Library services in the past year or so, indicate how satisfied you were while doing each of the following…(2nd of 2 charts) (Q3)

A teen program, class or event (Q3o)

Using electronic books or magazines with technology like Kindle (Q3g)

A children’s program, class or event (Q3n)

Using the library as a meeting place with friends or others (Q3f)

Using notary services (Q3r)

Accessing wireless Internet (Q3d)

Using computers (Q3c)

Borrowing children’s books (Q3b)

An adult program, class or event (Q3m)

13%

18%

23%

26%

26%

28%

29%

34%

39%

80%

69%

70%

67%

61%

65%

61%

58%

52%

7%

8%

6%

4%

10%

4%

4%

5%

6%

4%

Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Don't use Unfamiliar with this

8

Survey participants see the library as very important to them personally and to the community as a whole.


Are meeting the needs of my community (Q4b)

Are relevant to me, personally (Q4d)

Are a good value for the tax dollar (Q4c)

Are likely to be used by me in the next year (Q4e)

Improve the quality of life within my community Q4a)

9%

10%

6%

5%

7%

79%

81%

85%

87%

88%

10%

7%

7%

7%

5%

Disagree Neither Agree Don't know

How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements?The library facilities and services…(Q4)

9

The Library’s collection of materials overwhelmingly is seen as important.

Collection of Materials

Not at all impor-tant

Of little impor-tance

Neither important nor unimportant

Somewhat impor-tant

Very important Don't Know

1% 2% 5%

23%

63%

5%

Overall, how important is the collection of materials in making the Library importantto you personally? (Q5)

Lower importance 3% Higher importance (86%)

10

Most desire a better variety of movies and books for adults.


In your opinion, the Library should offer a better variety of… (Q6a)

Other

Teen books

Newspapers

Children’s books

Magazines

Music

Audio books

Adult books

Movies

10%

16%

16%

18%

22%

24%

27%

50%

50%

11

Most also desire more copies of movies and books for adults.See Appendix C for summary of responses to open-ended questions

about more copies and a better variety of materials.


In your opinion, the Library should offer a more copies… (Q6b)

Other

Newspapers

Children’s books

Teen books

Magazines

Audio books

Music

Adult books

Movies

8%

12%

15%

16%

17%

18%

19%

44%

49%

12

The library atmosphere also is recognized as important.

Library Atmosphere




Somewhat impor-tant


1% 1%5%

25%

65%

3%

Overall, how important is the atmosphere in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q7)


13

An atmosphere that accommodates reading for pleasure is highly desired; one that accommodates food and beverages is less desired.

Library Atmosphere

Food and beverages (Q8e)

Talking with friends (Q8f)

Meeting in groups (Q8d)

Participating in programs (Q8c)

Working or studying (Q8b)

Reading for pleasure (Q8a)

34%

23%

30%

25%

18%

10%

5%

5%

26%

43%

71%

82%

90%

91%

10%

8%

9%

8%

4%


How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements?The Library facilities should have an atmosphere that accommodates… (Q8)

14

Library staff is the highest-rated component in making the Library valuable to users.

Library Staff




Somewhat impor-tant


1% 1% 2%18%

75%

3%


Overall, how important is the staff in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q9)

15

Opinions of Library staff performance are very positive.

Library Staff

Works as a team (Q10e)

Seems large enough to meet the needs of all users (Q10a)

Offers their help (Q10c)

Is easy to talk to (Q10b)

Seems knowledgeable (Q10d)

4%

4%

4%

4%

10%

8%

7%

5%

5%

72%

77%

82%

84%

85%

15%

11%

7%

7%

8%


Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements:The staff at the Library…(Q10)

16

Library facilities are seen as important, though some other components are more often rated “very important.”

Library Facilities




Somewhat impor-tant


0% 1% 4%

24%

66%

5%


Overall, how important are the facilities in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q11)

17

Small percentages have qualms with how space is allocated.

Library Facilities

Adequate space for large gatherings (Q12e)

Children’s sections that are conducive to children’s activi-ties (Q12i)

Well-organized children’s sections (Q12h)

Adequate space for users to meet in groups (Q12d)

Adequate space for users to participate in programs (Q12c)

Areas divided appropriately among children, teens and adults (Q12g)

Adequate space to designate areas for various purposes and age groups (Q12f)

Adequate space for users to work or study (Q12b)

Adequate space for users to read for pleasure (Q12a)

12%

5%

4%

5%

4%

8%

7%

21%

10%

10%

13%

12%

13%

11%

9%

6%

40%

52%

55%

60%

64%

64%

65%

72%

78%

27%

36%

33%

23%

20%

19%

20%

11%

9%


Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements:The Library facilities have…(Q12)

18

The Reference/Research Section is rated lower in importance than larger library components, and 10% say they “don’t know.”

Reference/Research Section




Somewhat impor-tant


3%4%

12%

33%

38%

10%


Overall, how important is the Reference/Research Section in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q13)

19

Quality of service in the Research/Reference Section is a positive for users, but many respondents seem unfamiliar with the Section.

Research/Reference Section

Should shift more toward digital materials and resources (e.g., online databases and journals) (Q14d)

Should offer users more digital/online materials that can be accessed from home (Q14e)

Maintains enough resources (Q14b)

Has a good variety of resources (e.g., encyclopedias, on-line databases) (Q14c)

Provides helpful, personal service (Q14a)

8%

5%

25%

22%

16%

15%

11%

33%

42%

47%

49%

59%

33%

32%

34%

34%

27%


Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements:The Research/Reference Section…(Q14)

20

Overall ratings of the importance of programs and events are lower than larger components; similar to the Reference/Research Section.

Programs & Events




Somewhat impor-tant


1%

5%

14%

35%37%

7%


Overall, how important are the programs and events in making the Library valuable to youpersonally? (Q15)

21

High percentages of survey participants seem unfamiliar with programs and events and respond “don’t know” to specific questions.

See Appendix C for related open-ended comments/suggestions.

Programs & Events

In general, I am satisfied with the programs/events offered by the Library (Q16a)

The programs/events are offered at convenient times (Q16b)

There are enough programs/events for children (Q16c)

There are enough programs/events for teens (Q16d)

There are enough programs/events for adults (Q16e)

There are enough programs/events for seniors (Q16f)

I would like the Library to offer more educational oppor-tunities or classes (Q16g)

4%

7%

4%

9%

10%

16%

18%

14%

17%

21%

16%

27%

62%

51%

33%

23%

40%

36%

48%

18%

23%

50%

56%

30%

38%

22%


Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements…(Q16)

22

Technology is recognized by three-quarters of respondents as important to making the library valuable to them personally, but falls short of basic components such as staff and materials.

Technology




Somewhat impor-tant


2%5%

9%

31%

43%

9%

Overall, how important is the technology in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q18)


23

Support for technology in the library seems fairly strong, though there are negative respondents and plenty who “don’t know.”

Technology

Should offer advanced technologies (e.g., video con-ferencing, video editing, podcast recording) (Q19h)

Should offer more electronic reading devices (e.g., Kindle) (Q19g)

Should offer more laptops for personal use while at the library (Q19f)

Have enough computers available for users (Q19d)

Have software available on the computers that meets my needs (Q19c)

Have up-to-date computers (Q19e)

Are places I would go for free wireless Internet access (Q19b)

Are places I would go to use a computer/laptop (Q19a)

9%

7%

9%

12%

7%

6%

13%

14%

33%

32%

31%

22%

26%

20%

25%

26%

27%

30%

31%

33%

36%

40%

49%

51%

31%

31%

29%

33%

32%

33%

13%

9%


How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements?The Library facilities… (Q19)

24

Nearly two-thirds agree that the library should offer more technology learning opportunities.

Most agree that current technology assistance at the library is adequate.

Technology

Offers adequate technology assistance (Q20b)

Should offer additional technology learning opportunities (Q20a)

6% 19%

20%

52%

63%

24%

15%


The Library…(Q20)

25

A strong majority say they are kept well informed about what is going on with the Library.

Questions probing interest in receiving the newsletter via email or increased use of social media draws many negative responses.

Library Communications

I would prefer to receive information via social media like Facebook or Twitter (Q21d)

The Library does enough advertising of its website (Q21b)

I would prefer to receive the Library newsletter via e-mail (Q21c)

The Library website is easy to use (Q21e)

I am kept well informed about what is going on with the Library (Q21a)

46%

10%

27%

5%

6%

23%

24%

25%

17%

13%

17%

34%

36%

43%

76%

13%

32%

11%

35%

5%


Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements about Library communications…(Q21)

26

The Book Mark is by far the library information source that most often is preferred.

The library website is a distant second.

Library Communications

Other

Social media sitees like Twitter and/or Facebook

Word-of-mouth

A commercial newspaper

Library staff

Dislplay areas/fliers posted at the Library

Library e-mails (directly to you)

The Library website

Quarterly Library newsletter

2%

14%

16%

18%

26%

36%

39%

45%

79%

Indicate the top three information sources from which you prefer to hear about Library services…(Q22)

27

Most survey respondents way they would prefer that library facilities and services evolve to better accommodate the needs of the community, rather than stay much as they are.

See Appendix C for a summary of suggestions on what the library could do to more effectively meet the needs of the community and for a summary of miscellaneous comments about the library.

Future of the Library District

Stay much as they are

Evolve to better accommodate the needs of my community

42%

58%

In the future, I would prefer that the Library facilities and services…(Q23)

28

Demographics

Do you have a library card? (Q26a)

Gender?(Q26b)

No7%

Yes93%

68%

Male32%

18-3410%

35-449%

45-5417%

55-6421%

65 and older44%

Age range?(Q28)

Ages of minor children? (Q27)

8 years or less13%

9-12 years9%

13-17 years14%

None73%

Minor grandchildrenwho visit the library facilities? (Q27b)

No83%

Yes17%

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