NORTH RIVERSIDE Public Library North Riverside, IL North Riverside Public Library District Community 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 online  Total 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

 Like the survey, this report is organized into 11 section  Report appendixes  A – Overall results table  B – Cross-tabulation tables  C – Summary of responses to open-ended and other-specify questions  Rounding of results in the report may cause small variations from data tables 3 Organization of Report  Library Use & Satisfaction  Collection of Materials  Library Atmosphere  Library Staff  Library Facilities  Reference/Research Section  Programs & Events  Technology  Library Communications  Future of the Library District  About You

 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. 4 Library Use & Satisfaction In the past year or so, how frequently did you visit…(Q1)

 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. 5 Library Use & Satisfaction 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%)

 User satisfaction with services is very high. 6 Library Use & Satisfaction 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…(1 st of 2 charts) (Q3)

 User satisfaction with services is very high. 7 Library Use & Satisfaction 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…(2 nd of 2 charts) (Q3)

 Survey participants see the library as very important to them personally and to the community as a whole. 8 Library Use & Satisfaction How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements? The library facilities and services…(Q4)

 The Library’s collection of materials overwhelmingly is seen as important. 9 Collection of Materials Overall, how important is the collection of materials in making the Library important to you personally? (Q5) Lower importance 3% Higher importance (86%)

 Most desire a better variety of movies and books for adults. 10 Collection of Materials In your opinion, the Library should offer a better variety of… (Q6a)

 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. 11 Collection of Materials In your opinion, the Library should offer a more copies… (Q6b)

 The library atmosphere also is recognized as important. 12 Library Atmosphere Overall, how important is the atmosphere in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q7) Lower importance 2% Higher importance (90%)

 An atmosphere that accommodates reading for pleasure is highly desired; one that accommodates food and beverages is less desired. 13 Library Atmosphere How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements? The Library facilities should have an atmosphere that accommodates… (Q8)

 Library staff is the highest-rated component in making the Library valuable to users. 14 Library Staff Lower importance 2% Higher importance (93%) Overall, how important is the staff in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q9)

 Opinions of Library staff performance are very positive. 15 Library Staff Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements: The staff at the Library…(Q10)

 Library facilities are seen as important, though some other components are more often rated “very important.” 16 Library Facilities Lower importance 1% Higher importance (90%) Overall, how important are the facilities in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q11)

 Small percentages have qualms with how space is allocated. 17 Library Facilities Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements: The Library facilities have…(Q12)

 The Reference/Research Section is rated lower in importance than larger library components, and 10% say they “don’t know.” 18 Reference/Research Section Lower importance 7% Higher importance (71%) Overall, how important is the Reference/Research Section in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q13)

 Quality of service in the Research/Reference Section is a positive for users, but many respondents seem unfamiliar with the Section. 19 Research/Reference Section Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements: The Research/Reference Section…(Q14)

 Overall ratings of the importance of programs and events are lower than larger components; similar to the Reference/Research Section. 20 Programs & Events Lower importance 6% Higher importance (72%) Overall, how important are the programs and events in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q15)

 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. 21 Programs & Events Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements…(Q16)

 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. 22 Technology Overall, how important is the technology in making the Library valuable to you personally? (Q18) Lower importance 7% Higher importance (74%)

 Support for technology in the library seems fairly strong, though there are negative respondents and plenty who “don’t know.” 23 Technology How strongly do you agree with each of the following statements? The Library facilities… (Q19)

 Nearly two-thirds agree that the library should offer more technology learning opportunities.  Most agree that current technology assistance at the library is adequate. 24 Technology The Library…(Q20)

 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 or increased use of social media draws many negative responses. 25 Library Communications Indicate how strongly your agree with each of the following statements about Library communications…(Q21)

 The Book Mark is by far the library information source that most often is preferred.  The library website is a distant second. 26 Library Communications Indicate the top three information sources from which you prefer to hear about Library services…(Q22)

 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. 27 Future of the Library District In the future, I would prefer that the Library facilities and services…(Q23)

28 Demographics Do you have a library card? (Q26a) Gender? (Q26b) Age range? (Q28) Ages of minor children? (Q27) Minor grandchildren who visit the library facilities? (Q27b)