Windham Public Library seeks public input about services

A new public survey under way by the
Windham Public Library is looking to hear
from community members who are not
currently using library services to learn if
there are areas the library can improve or
needs that prevent people from visiting 
the library. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

By Elizabeth Richards

The Windham Public Library is actively seeking input about its services through a survey that is currently live online and will remain open through mid-November.

Library Director Jennifer Alvino, MLIS, said they’d like to hear from both library users and non-users what they think of the current services offered, and what they’d like to see offered in the future.

“We would love to hear from community members who are not currently using our services to know if there are areas we can improve or needs that we aren't meeting that prevent them from visiting. From current library users we’d like to know how we are doing and any suggestions for changes,” she said.

The survey is intended to help the library learn about the community and needs of community members.  “This will hopefully lead us to some conclusions we can draw about how the library can adjust our services or promotions to meet those needs,” Alvino said.

Library staff will use the information gathered by the survey to reflect on the services they offer and make changes if needed, Alvino added. 

Alvino said the survey has a couple of specific goals. 

“One goal is to ensure that community members know all that we have to offer. Even our current library users may be surprised to know that we offer certain services,” she said. 

An additional goal, she said, is to listen to what the community has to say, hear their needs, and improve upon the services offered at the library, if necessary. That may include making adjustments to their current services or adding new services.

The seven-question survey begins with a question on how long the respondent uses the WPL.  The following questions ask which services, specifically, are used, why non-users do not come to the library, how they find out about what the library offers, and whether they are aware of some particular services.  The survey ends with two open-ended short answer questions asking about services and changes the respondent would like to see at the library.

 The digital survey is available online as a google form, which can be accessed by scanning a QR code on the library website, in the library newsletter, and in advertisements run in the Windham Eagle. A link is also posted on the library website, Facebook page and the Windham Maine Community Board on Facebook.

Paper copies of the survey are also available. These can be picked up at the Town Hall or the Library and returned to the box at Town Hall or directly to the library.

There will be a second ad announcing the survey in The Windham Eagle newspaper published Oct. 15. 

The survey will remain open until Nov. 15, Alvino said. <