redwood city public library the “why i choose not to use the library” project redwood city...
TRANSCRIPT
Redwood City Public Library
The “Why I Choose Not to Use
the Library” Project
Redwood City Public Library
Jenny DavisRedwood City, CA
Specialist Librarian650 780 7046
Project Purpose
• What keeps people from using our libraries and why?
• What can we do to enhance our services?
Why this project?
To Ask What We Can Do Better
And Respond to
what our community tells us
How?
Community outreach
Community events
Online Survey
The numbers
6 Community events
25 Community groups
498 people online
100 in person
Projected Achieved
Attend 4 events Survey 200
community members
Craft a new services plan
Attended 6 events Surveyed 600
community members
Craft a new services plan
What we found
The top three reasons our customers don’t use the library– Too busy, don’t have time– Use the internet instead– Other – mainly parking fees
What we found
Three most important improvements customers would like to see– Free Parking– Expanded collection of books– Café in the library
What we loved to hear!
“No changes are needed to get me to
come”
“I tend to forget that the library has more to offer beyond what I've used”
“Libraries a
re
critical to
a
communities
success.”
“I LOVE IT
”
“It’s just great
knowing a library is
there”
What they said• Post the New York Times Best Seller Lists• Computer classes for English speakers• “Lose the hold fee”• “I buy my books”• Too long a wait for new best-sellers• I just don't read books anymore• I strongly believe the Library should be just that
-- a Library. Not a Community Center or a Baby sitting center for High School Students
• Ability to return books to locations other than the library (RCSD schools, Sequoia Station, post offices (outside drop off bin)
How we WILL respondService responsesEnhance online services
Enhance downloadable services
Free parking days?
Barrier
How we HAVE responded
Bestsellers New Online services
What next?
• Pursue and promote online services for people “that don’t have time”– Music downloads– Language learning– Ebooks and audiobooks
• Pursue new collection ideas• Working with the city on free
parking days
The Project Budget
• This grant funded 6 additional days for staff to attend events in the community
• Provided hours to a project assistant• Paid for supplies and materials for
off-site library events.
Outcome