Contentment Regarding Local Library Services
In the heart of Lake City, the public library has been the hub of knowledge and community engagement for many. A recent study, conducted from May to September 2024, by the Committee for Culture and City Partnerships, has shed light on the library's strengths and areas for improvement.
The study involved nearly 400 participants, both customers and non-customers of the library, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The staff's expertise, kindness, helpfulness, and accessibility have been highly praised. However, nearly 15% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the library's opening hours.
One of the key insights from the study is the need to better promote offers and services. Libraries often increase outreach via social media, local media partnerships, and community events to raise awareness and usage. Advertising should particularly focus on E-books, as 85.25% prefer printed books due to the largely unknown E-book offerings.
Another key insight is the provision of workshops for adults. Offering diverse, engaging, and relevant adult programs (e.g., digital literacy, wellness, arts) encourages adult participation and community engagement. The library has not been specifically praised for its E-book offerings, indicating a potential opportunity in this area.
Strengthening the Kaldenkirchen location is another key focus. This likely involves facility upgrades, expanded collections, community-tailored services, and enhanced staffing to meet local needs. The library, which has a team of six women, needs to reach the target group aged 13 and above.
Lastly, extending opening hours, especially evenings and weekends, is crucial to accommodate diverse schedules, increase access, and improve service equity. However, the committee has not yet discussed these points.
Children find the library "cozy" and "fun," and the library has received positive feedback for accessibility, bike parking, and affordable membership fees. The study results have not been attributed to any specific organization or institution other than the Committee for Culture and City Partnerships.
SENTOBIB's director, Iris Schulz, drew four key insights from the study, but it's unclear whether these align with the aforementioned key insights. For detailed, study-specific insights on Lake City's library services from 2024, it's recommended to consult the Lake City public library’s official reports or contact their administrative office directly. Non-customers cited reasons for not using the public library as "preference for buying over borrowing" and "opening hours not suitable."
This study provides valuable insights for the Lake City public library as it continues to strive for improvement and growth in its services and community engagement.
- To improve the effectiveness of their outreach and services, the library could consider organizing home-and-garden themed workshops for adults, which aligns with the preferences of many non-customers.
- Considering the feedback received, enhancing the home-lifestyle section of the library, either through expanded collections or community-tailored services, could attract more individuals aged 13 and above, thereby increasing the library's reach.
