Before You Start

To participate in this study, your survey ID will need to be entered (found on the printed survey form that was mailed to each public library). If you cannot remember and/or locate your survey ID, you may look up the ID number on the right of this screen (your ID number is the same ID number you use when reporting your annual statistics to your state library).

The survey contains questions about specific library system branches as well as system wide questions. Please complete both parts of the survey. If your library system does not have branches, you will be completing a single questionnaire from start to finish. If your library system does have branches, you may be asked to complete questions regarding some of your branches prior answering questions about your entire system.

If your library system has many branches, it is likely that not all of your library system's branches are in the study's sample. If, however, you wish to complete surveys for any of the additional branches, you will be given that opportunity (and we would certainly appreciate the extra effort).

Your library and the branches selected to participate (if applicable), were selected randomly based on the poverty level your library's community (determined using 2000 Census data); whether your library is serves an urban, suburban, or rural community; and the state in which your library resides.

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please e-mail us at ii@ci.fsu.edu, or call (850) 645-2197.

Survey Format

The survey has a total of 21 questions. Please answer each question as thoroughly and accurately as possible. The survey contains four different types of questions:

  • Some require selecting one answer from an established list of choices;
  • Some require selecting as many answers as appropriate from an established list of choices;
  • Some require supplying a specific number (i.e., number of public access Internet workstations in the library); and
  • Some require a combination of answer selection and number specification.

A few questions also allow for open-ended responses to part of the question.

Some of the questions in the survey relate to library branches and other questions relate to the library system. If your library system has only one library, all questions will apply to your library. However, if your library system has a number of branches, please collaborate with anyone in the system necessary to properly answer the questions for your library.

The survey is not timed. You may complete part of it, save your answers, and return to it at a later time. You may also answer part of the survey and have other members of your library staff answer other parts, if appropriate. Please be sure to finish filling out the survey by November 14, 2008. Once completed, you will be able to print the answers you provided and keep a copy for your own records.

Upon completion of the survey, you may register to win an Amazon Kindle.

Consent

Participation in this study is voluntary. If you choose not to participate or to withdraw from the study at any time, there will be no penalty. The results of the research may be published, but neither your name nor the name of your library will be used.

Participation in this study will provide important data for years to come. THANK YOU for your willingness to participate!