Government Information Resources at Libraries Survey

Government Information Resources at Libraries Survey

Prepared by the Library Research Center

With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this survey is just one part of a project exploring how people with low-access to the Internet find government information. By answering the following questions, you will help us learn more about how libraries provide government information resources to the public. Thank you for your time.

1. Is the public required to present a valid library card before they may use computer terminals? Yes/No

2. Approximately how many patrons use your computer terminals in an average week?

3. How many computer terminals are available in your computer lab for patron use?

1. Of the computer terminals available for patron use, how many are connected to the Internet? ____

4. How many computer terminals are available in your computer lab for staff use only (not including public use computers counted in Q4)?

1. Of the computer terminals available for staff use only, how many are connected to the Internet? ____

The following section asks you to report Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Please report your FTE in terms of your standard work week as long as that standard week is between 35 and 40 hours. If not, please convert to a 40 hour work week.

5. Report FTE of all staff members doing any work at your library ______

5. If applicable, report FTE of all staff members working hours in the computer lab

5. What is the gross annual budget for your library? $

5. What is the legal service area for your library?

5. Total scheduled public service hours per year for all service outlets (Include the hours open for public service at the main/central library, the branches, and the bookmobile) NOTE: Use an actual annual count, if available; otherwise calculate an estimate based on a typical week and multiply by 52.

5. If your center has branch or satellite labs please provide the zip codes for each:

The following set of questions focus on the services your library offers patrons. In particular we are interested in services that pertain to government information at all levels (local, state, federal) of government. This information may include anything from health and housing, education and employment opportunities, legal and law enforcement issues, military service, and even how to fill out tax forms.

5. Which of the following do you offer for topics concerning government information in its broadest sense? (Check all that apply.)

Classes – a series of cumulative, formal instruction on a regular/semi-regular basis

Workshops – training that is one-time only for special occasions/needs

Tutorials – mediated or unmediated step-by-step instruction upon request

Reference service – unscheduled, user-driven reference transactions

Specialized collections – geared towards public use of government information

(for example: an employment or genealogy center) _____

5. What types of government information topics are covered through the services your library provides? (Choose all that apply.)

TOPIC	Classes	Workshops	Tutorials	Reference Service	Special Collections
Family (or household), Neighborhood, Community- examples of this include marriage licenses, credit reports, government assistance
Education, Jobs, Military - examples of this include getting a job, seeking military benefits, student loans
Housing and Property - examples of this include purchasing a house, issues with a landlord, and zoning issues
Health, Nutrition, and Food - examples of this include food stamps, Medicare/Medicaid, nutrition programs for children/families
Law and Politics - examples of this include voter registration, immigration, courts/laws, tax
Recreation - examples of this include local/state/national parks, fishing/hunting licenses
Other

5. Of the services that you offer concerning the usage of government information, do you evaluate the outcomes of these activities? (Choose all that apply.)

EVALUATION	Classes	Workshops	Tutorials	Reference Service	Special Collections
Keep track of complaints/compliments
Collect usage statistics
Survey participants about their experience
Do not evaluate
Other (Please Specify)

Questions 14-21 refer to specific library services as listed in Q11.

5. How frequently does your library offer classes concerning government information?

Several times a year __________

Monthly __________

Once a year __________

Other (specify) __________

N/A __________

5. At your library, the instructors for the classes concerning government information are (select all that apply):

Librarians or library staff _______

Community volunteers _______

Commercial vendors _______

Other (specify) _______

N/A _______

5. At your library, the instructors for the workshops concerning government information are (select all that apply):

Librarians or library staff _______

Community volunteers _______

Commercial vendors _______

Other (specify) _______

N/A _______

5. If your library offers tutorials, are they (select all that apply):

Choose one….

In person ____

Print-based ____

Computer-based ____

Other (specify) ____

N/A ____

5. If your library offers tutorials, are they primarily:

Choose one….

Designed by Library staff ____

Designed by Third-parties ____

N/A ____

5. How does your library offer reference services?

Choose all that apply….

Method of Reference Service	During Library Hours	Outside of Library Hours
In person
Telephone
Email
Instant Messaging/Chat

5. On a scale of 1 to 5, how does your library generally approach face-to-face reference transactions?

Teaching users how to 1 2 3 4 5 Providing users with

find the requested the requested information

information themselves

5. Where are your specialized collections that deal with government information located?

In a prominent location in the main section of the library _____

In a specialized room or section _____

Integrated with the main collection _____

Only available online through websites/digital catalog _____

Other (specify) _____

5. Please rank in order the factors that have contributed to the successful execution of programs at your library?

Contributed the most 1 2 3 4 Contributed the least

Budget

Staff time

Staff expertise

Community demands/interest

5. How did your specialized collection originate/develop?

5. How does your library decide what government information topics to address with class and workshop offerings? ______________________________________________________________________

5. How does your library promote class and workshop offerings that address government information?

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your library and the services it provides to low-access individuals in their search for government information?____________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time.

If you have any questions about this study, please contact the Library Research Center at (217) 333-1980 or via email at [email protected]

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