Public Library Survey-old: Home

For the upcoming PLS, you will be asked for the number of 

• Children's Programs
• YA Programs
• Adult Programs
• General Interest Programs

Additionally, we want to know how many programs were done in real-time (synchronous) versus recorded (asynchronous), programs given to patrons attending in-person versus online, and which were held on library grounds versus elsewhere in your community.

While it is not necessary to break out the, for instance, children's programs into onsite or offsite -- or general programs done in-person versus solely virtually, I think this chart is easier to understand. 

Let's try this sample:

Here are the programs I have done: 

• 4 in-person programs outside on the library lawn for children. 
• 1 program for adults done over zoom
• 2 YA programs where some of the teens attended at the library and some watched in real-time online
• 1 virtual storytime with live online attendance and also recorded and placed online. 

Let's start with the 4 in-person programs for children:

They were all done on library grounds (Onsite) and did not have a video component. 

And 1 program for adults over Zoom:This program was not recorded. This is a synchronous virtual program (live virtual). 

And how about the 2 YA programs that were both in-person at the library AND provided a live streaming option? This is just counted as an onsite, synchronous program session for YA. Note that according to data element 608 (Number of Synchronous Virtual Program Sessions, VIRPRO), one should "[e]xclude program sessions that also have an in-person component; these should be counted under Number Synchronous In-Person Onsite Program Sessions or Number of Synchronous In-Person Offsite Program Sessions (data elements 606 or 607)." 

And, finally, what about an online storytime with real-time attendance that was also recorded and put online for patrons to watch later? In this case, you would count the program twice: Once as a synchronous virtual program, as it "is any planned event that is streamed virtually and can be viewed live as it progresses (i.e. live streaming). Also include the program under data element 620 (Total Number of Asynchronous Program Presentations) which states, "Include recordings of synchronous program sessions that were available for asynchronous viewing after the session ended." This data element will be shown under the table, along with the next question for total views of asynchronous programs within 7 days. 

Putting this all together: There are a total of:

• 8 total synchronous programs
• 6 in-person onsite programs 
• 2 synchronous virtual programs
• 1 asynchronous program

Who are registered borrowers?

A registered user is a library user who has applied for and received an identification number or card from the public library that has established conditions under which the user may borrow library materials or gain access to other library resources. Note: Files should have been purged within the past three (3) years.

What if the library only provides one card per household or family? 

Number of individual borrowers. If registration is by household or family, multiply by 2.6 for total registered borrowers. See pages 41 and 42 of Output Measures for Public Libraries: A Manual of Standardized Procedures. 2nd ed. American Library Association, 1987.

How often should patron records be purged?

It is recommended that libraries purge registration at least once every three years.

LIBRARY VISITS

Libraries without automatic door counters should manually keep track of every patron entering the building. If the count is not performed daily, it should be done at least once for a one-week period throughout the year. In the report, you will indicate that this is an annual estimate, not an annual count. 

PROGRAMMING TRACKING

COVID-VACCINE CLINIC WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Public Library Survey's definition of programs says to exclude programs sponsored by other groups that use the library facilities, but this likely fits the definition of "service." 

WI-FI USAGE

• Log in to your wireless router. If you do not know how to do so, Google the brand/model of your routers along with “instruction manual.”

  • The directions should provide the IP address to use to log into the web-based router software.

  • You will likely have a username and password. Be sure to keep this account private and secure!

• Using the router’s web-based software, set the router's DHCP lease time to 24 hours and check it once a day for at least a week.

• Average the results to get a snapshot of your daily usage.

Hoopla & Kanopy

• Your Hoopla “collection size” is the same as the number of checkouts.
• Kanopy is a curated collection, so you would include all titles available through Kanopy in ‘Local Downloadable Video.’ The 2021 number is: 27,623.