EXECUTIVE ABSTRACT

USE OF THE GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

LIBRARY CARD. 7 in 10 adult residents have a Guilderland Public Library Card.

USE IN LAST YEAR. About 2 in 3 adult residents have used the Guilderland Public Library in the last year, and almost half have used the Guilderland Public Library in the last month.

In the last year, have you used or been to the Guilderland Library?

In the last month, about how many times have you been to the Guilderland Library?

SPECIFIC USE OF THE LIBRARY: BORROWING. In the last year, over half of the residents have borrowed or checked out materials from the Guilderland Library.

SPECIFIC USE OF THE LIBRARY: OTHER USES. In the last year, over 4 in 10 residents have been to the library for a purpose other than checking out materials.

PERCEIVED VALUE OF THE GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

PERSONAL VALUE. 7 in 10 residents think the Guilderland Public Library is very valuable to them personally.

VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY. Almost 9 in 10 residents think the Guilderland Public Library is very valuable for the Guilderland community.

PRIORITIES FOR THE GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES. When asked, in an unaided question format, to name the 3 most important services, programs or functions provided by the library, many of the responses included books, reference resources, children’s programs and computers. Examples of these responses follow:

Book Collection. Resource sources and assistance. Magazines.

Children’s Programming. Historical programming. Books.

Reference help. Book collection. Community space.

Providing periodicals, research and videos.

Computers. Internet. Books. Videos.

Research materials. Ability to use rooms for meetings. A place to vote.

References. Internet access. Book borrowing.

BREADTH OF SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY SERVICES. Residents were asked the following question for 18 separate library services or areas: Do you think the library should increase, decrease or maintain at the same level their (read service)?

Almost 9 in 10 residents support increases in at least 2 services or areas, and, on average, residents support increases in 7 services. Over 8 in 10 residents support decreases in none of the 18 services.

SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY SERVICES. Residents were asked about support for 5 technology-related services, including e-books, computers, computer classes, internet access and wireless internet access. Almost 8 in 10 residents support increases in at least 1 of these services.

Do you think the library should increase, decrease or maintain at the same level their (read factors)?

PRIORITIES FOR THE GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY (CONTINUED)

LIBRARY SERVICES WITH GREATEST SUPPORT. Aside from the technology-related services, the services and programs that are supported by the largest proportions of residents follow: Reading Programs for Children, Book Collection, Audio Books, Reference Materials and Assistance by Staff, Movies on VHS or DVD, and Programs for Senior Citizens. Residents across age groups supported each of these services, and Children’s Reading Programs were supported equally by those with and without children.

Do you think the library should increase, decrease or maintain at the same level their (read factors)?

LIBRARY TAX INCREASE

SUPPORT FOR TAX INCREASE. In order to provide the library services that they consider priorities, 7 in 10 residents support an increase in the library tax.

To provide the library services that you consider priorities,
would you support or oppose an increase in the library tax?

GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

RECEIPT OF NEWSLETTER IN MAIL. Over 7 in 10 residents recall receiving the Guilderland Public Library newsletter in the mail.

READING THE NEWSLETTER. Almost all those who receive the newsletter (and 6 in 10 residents overall) read at least some of it.

ATTENDENCE AT EVENTS. Almost 3 in 10 residents have attended an event that they had seen mentioned in the Guilderland Public Library newsletter.

USE OF OTHER LIBRARIES

USE OF LIBRARIES OTHER THAN GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. Half of the residents use at least one library other than the Guilderland Public Library. A wide range of other libraries are used, including the SUNY Albany library, the New York State library, and the public libraries in Albany, Altamont, Schenectady, Voorheesville, and Colonie.

TOTAL LIBRARY USE. Over half of all Guilderland Public Library users are also using some other library.

Over 6 in 10 residents who do not use the Guilderland Public Library are not using any other library.

In the last year, have you used or been to the Guilderland Public Library?

Do you use any library other than the Guilderland Public Library?

INTERNET USE

FREQUENCY OF INTERNET USE. In the week preceding the survey, 70% of residents had used the Internet.

In the last week, how many days have you gone on the Internet?

LOCATION OF INTERNET ACCESS. Over half of the residents have Internet access at both work and home; n the week preceding the survey, 70% of residents had used the Internet.

In the last week, how many days have you gone on the Internet?

DEMOGRAPHICS

EDUCATION. Over half of the residents have completed, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree.

What is the highest level of education you have completed? High school graduate or less,
some college or associates degree, bachelors degree or graduate study or degree?

AGE Half of the residents are 50 years old or over, and the average age of adults residents is 49 years old.

What is your age?

HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION. The most typical household in Guilderland comprises 2 or more adults with no children under age 18.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

GOAL OF THE RESEARCH

This research has been designed and conducted to provide representative and reliable measurement of residents’ awareness, use, perceptions and attitudes toward Guilderland Public Library.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Content areas for which specific measurements have been developed include the following:

· Overall awareness of and attitudes toward Guilderland Public Library;

· Frequency of use of the Guilderland Public Library;

· Most important services, programs or functions provided by the Guilderland Public Library;

· Priorities for the Guilderland Public Library;

· Support of an increase in the library tax;

· Awareness and use of the Guilderland Public Library Newsletter;

· Internet access, frequency of use and computer ownership;

· Suggestions for services and programs that should be the highest priority of the Guilderland Public Library;

· Use of other libraries;

· Demographic information for use in analysis of survey data.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This research utilized a random probability sample of 100 residents of the Town of Guilderland. Telephone numbers used in the sampling of the Town of Guilderland were generated by random digit dialing, a sampling technique that assures an equal, unbiased probability of inclusion in the sample for all households with a telephone.

In addition to the universe of published telephone numbers, this technique includes in the sample unlisted and newly established telephone numbers. This sample design and methodology maximizes the representativeness of the findings from this survey and the subsequent reliability of inferences that are drawn.

QUESTIONNAIRE DEVELOPMENT

The survey questionnaire was designed to accurately and comprehensively measure the objectives summarized above. The development of the questionnaire involved interaction between Fact Finders, Inc. and designated representatives of Guilderland Public Library.

In order to produce a final questionnaire that is comprehensive, clear, efficient and free from contextual bias, draft versi

2003 GUILDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY

REPORT OF FINDINGS