Burlington Library Association

Paper

On-line

Total

As Of

Number of surveys

124

39

163

11/26/06

1. How frequently does your household use the Library?

more than once a week

20

monthly

47

never

0

weekly

60

several times a year

35

2. What are the age groups of the children in your household? Check all that apply.

Preschool

39

Middle School

26

Older

22

Elementary School

51

High School

30

None

51

3. Please check all of the Library services you or your family have used:

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

Adult book collection

78

72

5

Children’s book collection

66

36

37

Young adult

25

46

62

New books

75

55

16

Large print books

7

22

98

Books on tape

19

50

64

Books on CD

24

42

63

Magazines

16

71

50

Newspapers

6

32

95

Videos or DVDs

43

82

19

Music CDs

11

55

70

Reference

11

75

44

Internet access

10

46

86

Place to study or read

6

48

80

Book Club

5

10

115

Children’s programs

29

47

59

Adult programs

17

46

83

Computer applications

5

21

102

Public meeting room

10

47

77

Special exhibits

25

74

35

Downloadable audio books

5

9

112

Local history

12

69

62

Museum pass

11

71

55

Inter-library loan

31

83

29

Photocopier

8

75

52

Fax service

0

12

111

Restroom/phone

27

91

27

4. Are you aware that the Burlington Public Library can obtain material for you from other libraries?

Have used the service

118

Aware, but haven’t used

39

Didn’t know

4

5. Do you use libraries in other towns, and if so, why?

Location

58

Children’s programs

29

Other

16

More materials

89

Adult programs

8

No, don’t use others

30

Hours open

17

More computers

5

6. What ways are most convenient for you to learn about library services and programs?

Flyers

69

Bristol Press

12

Word-of-mouth

19

Posters

25

Hartford Courant

35

Email

61

Mail

103

Tri-town Post

52

Other

17

(web site, Rt.4 sign, thru schools)

7. What improvements would you like to see? (please add other items if necessary)

very important

somewhat important

not necessary

More books

89

42

12

More magazines

12

55

70

More DVD’s

46

51

33

More videos

21

59

57

More books on tape

20

39

67

More books on CD

31

41

56

More computers

18

42

63

Faster internet connection

31

32

58

More children’s programs

44

42

37

More adult programs

21

62

44

Larger local history collection

17

42

59

More town information

31

49

44

More spaces for study

12

32

76

More meeting rooms

20

30

72

Additional hours

26

34

66

Additional staff

11

27

83

Non-English materials

7

33

88

Senior citizen services

15

45

56

Business resources

10

45

64

Notary public service

24

52

52

"Write-ins": More

music cd's

1

0

0

middleschool books

0

1

0

teen programs

2

1

0

young adult books

2

0

0

new books

2

0

0

summer hours

1

0

0

museum passes

0

1

0

toys

1

0

0

8. Would you support efforts to improve and expand library services through increased community funding?

definitely

71

probably not

12

probably

72

definitely not

6

9. Do you support building an expansion of the library?

Yes

112

No

38

10. If so, do you support including an adjacent Community Center with various types/sizes of meeting rooms?

Yes, include Community Center

93

No, library expansion only

35

11. In general, how important are public library services to you and your family?

Very important

120

Somewhat important

40

Not important

1

Comments

Our library is already remarkable. We are proud it is the heart of our town.

Need more info about proposed comm ctr and you need to develop a more reliable survey to decide this. This type of survey is not appropriate to use to determine support for additional capital project expenses. An appropriate survey would be one like the survey Region 10 conducted to build support for the school expansion (the sample included a range of parameters including age, income level, neighborhood, etc. and used direct telephone interview.) The EDC made a similar mistake with their mail-in survey. That survey did not take into account many important parameters of the sample respondents and therefore is not (or perhaps it is, we just don't know!) valid or representative of the population of Burlington.

If you expand to include a comm ctr., is it possible to consider stores/restaurant/ice cream parlor within walking distance to make our town more of a walking-accessible town?

More armchair/couch areas to sit on in adult and children (adult size) section. Activities for 4th -8th grade. Timed taking sports into consideration.

I would very much like to see a comm. Ctr. In the same location as the library but not the responsibility of the library.

As the center of town develops, the library will see increased foot traffic. In the next expansion, it may be important to include some kind of a lounge/seating area (like the area inside the entrance of the Farmington Library) because it's quite possible that there will be more people visiting the library just to sit and hang out. Ideally, this area would be separated from the main library area, or at least from quiet study areas, so that noise would not carry. Also, in the next expansion, I think that having a separate teen space is vital. Right now there are not many teens in the library, but I think that if they felt more welcome with their own space, they would come. More meeting/study rooms are also a must. And I definitely support an adjacent community center!

We think you all do a super job!

Need to expand meaningful adult activities - better book clubs, lecturers, etc. Need to buy important fiction - not mysteries and romance stories.

Not cozy enough to study/read -need comfy chairs, window light, adorable outside, not inside - poor inside design; fax too expensive; I have to admit that I have been going to the Canton Library because it's cute, cozy, children's room nicely set up, staff extremely friendly. Bltn does not have friendliest staff (except chldrn's librarian -friendliest & most helpful). I had a fine recently that was just above $5 & Bltn turned me away (I'm a total credit card person) without getting what I had picked out. Ended up at Canton a few days later & had forgotten my fine .... "of course it would be good to pay it" but she wasn't going to let me leave without getting things." Of course I paid it days later but I find the staff more reasonable, talkative.... At Bltn set a few items on the front desk & 4 min. later they were gone.. put on outgoing shelf. As I was retrieving them a libr. said I had to be more careful where I placed my things. ...

Does a good job as is; no need to expand

Not expansion at this time.

If libr has outgrown its space then expansion should be considered, but I am not sure why meeting rooms would be important. I would rather see a teen center with programs that would attract our young folks.

More children's programs. They are very short ~ 5 wks & limited times. It's difficult if you have children in pre-school & elem.school as well as toddlers. We need additional program days & times. Laurie does an excellent job.

I think we have a fabulous library -- staff is awesome. Library could possibly dedicate an area for communications between Lake Garda & HCS schools. So if events occur at one school, students from the other could be made aware of the events in order to participate. Maybe a dedicated bulletin bd. near the entrance?

Would like better led book club discussions.

open Sundays & holidays; get pass to HB Stowe house; have comm. bulletin bd available for flyers not censored by librarians (except blatantly improper such as hate or porno)

have been disappointed by some of the children's programs. Storytimes in Avon & Canton so wonderful. Perhaps Lori could visit them & get ideas?

In our small town our libr represents a growing need for culture, community & social gatherings. Expansion would help support this, bringing more materials, more room for meetings & cultural activities & programs, & more people sharing space & ideas. We have a beautiful libr with an excellent staff, who view the libr as an important place in our community, worthy of thoughtful & carefully planned expansion.

Less tapes - CD's & DVD's are more "now"

very pleased with the quality & quantity of children's activities, esp. during summer. Like to see few more programs like book clubs geared toward adults in 30's-40's. Seems like most of the adult programs geared toward sr. citizens. Could offer a program for moms & dads than coincide w the children's programs. also like to see a new computer & maybe add'l computer in children's section & more adult & children seating -- sofa or soft chair. Otherwise we're really pleased with the libr. always found the staff very friendly & helpful

need more info about expansion & Comm. Ctr.

Public library services are VERY IMPORTANT!

Expand the lbr so you can offer more programs to bring in more people. Your lbr is very underutilized. You need more & newer books. Better advertising for events is good idea also.

Your selection too small. I use Farmington lbr very frequently.

Would only support expansion if there were more resources & new books.

offer programs for middle/high school age - art programs - movies

For expansion, seek private & public financing

Let's pay for the school expansion then decide how/when to expand comm. Ctr/libr/other comm bldgs.

If the B of A didn't build the Taj Mahal on the high school site I might consider to support libr expansion. As it is I cannot support any more debt.

Using the libr less now that our kids are upper-elemen age & have lots of activities & homework. Would like to see more chdrn's programs geared for age 6-12. Primary focus seems mainly pre-school & kindergarten.

Do a great job on chdrn's programs & staff. Need more info about expansion & comm. Ctr.

Do not want increase in taxes. Need place for youth (Jr. High & High School) activities

As community grows, so should libr & its services. Do you collaborate with Cynthia Dias at HB/Mills learning ctr? Should be supporting each other.

Important to plan now for Bltn's future. Would be most advantageous to include plans for comm ctr in conjunction with libr. Town needs a core site to bring comm together. Libr is a wonderful asset to the town & has provided wonderful programs for families (chldrn & adult)

Variety of chdrn's programs great - you have really expanded them! Would love more chldrn's books, music cd's, videos. Another computer for chldrn would be great. Have more people able to come to programs like Easter bunny or mouse a cookie (expand so it is bigger).

More materials all around would be better. Bristol Manross Libr all around is an excellent libr.

Libr is doing a great job.

Probably don't support expansion via increased taxes only because we've had HUGE INCREASES recently. Don't think comm ctr necessary. Plenty of space at Town Hall, Sr. Ctr.& schools, as well as existing libr. More books & keep it simple are best ways libr. can serve comm. needs. Thank you.

Comm.Ctr: already have Town Hall. Have more compatibility & sharing w Fmtn Libr - make use of their expansion - make using Fmtn Libr services easier & inform us more of what they have -- why duplicate

Staff is wonderful. Need book clubs for mom/child. Expand chdrn's programs (varied days) Move dvd's, computers w/ kids programs. Model Fmgtn Libr.

Would like to see increase in fiction adult books primary.

safer intersection at Library Lane-Town and State input and funding: caution signal / reduced speed zone ( LOWER SPEED LIMIT AND ENFORCEMENT ARE EFFECTIVE AND INEXPENSIVE SOLUTION ) IN LIBRARY LARGE POSTERS AND INFO BOARDS ABOUT EVENTS AND THE FRIENDS -OF -THE -LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Tried without success to use ILL due to long delays. Improve book collection of Reg. 10 reading lists - multiple copies of more popular titles.

Get new books for young adults as soon as published to maintain their interest in reading. Would like to see a community center like the Harwinton Rec Ctr, which has many activities (ping pong, pool, etc.) for young adults.

No expansion or more of anything needed - present libr services are very satisfactory

Because the town has grown, libr needs to keep pace with more & better paid staff.

Any expansion should primarily focus on adult book & magazine collection & a more inviting adult reading area. Fmtn a good model.

I live on Lake Garda & usually go to Fmtn as it's more convenient. However, I fully support Bltn Libr as essential part of our (growing) town.

Sunday Hours would be very beneficial.

Broader DVD/video collection; continued new book selections; add'l adult/chldrn programs (author visits, etc.)

Would love to see many improvements in the community, however, Region X has just about taxed me out of my home, so, financially, I cannot support any additional spending.

I feel you do a great job for our specific needs, adult books, magazines, reference, etc. I just wonder how services for the elderly are, though. I don't know if you do this, but it would probably be nice to somehow provide door to door services for the elderly, if they are unable to come to the library, but would still like to read. It is something that I feel would be a good thing seeing that everybody gets old and may not be able to get out and about. Thank you for all you do for us though.

BPL already seems to fill just about all our town's libr needs

No expansion- big enough already

Personally I would like to see private study rms with wireless Inet access for laptops. An hrly fee for access would not be unreasonable.

You all do very well.. Bob & Carmen Merriman