A Short, One Question

• Survey
  
• Feedback Form
  
• Opinion Poll

Can gather valuable input/frustrations and help to build a relationship with users. Information gathered can be used to enhance services, promote events, and communicate more effectively with patrons.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Quick questions posted periodically (on your website or in the library)to collect feedback from patrons. Consider the following:
  
  • A short pop-up survey that asks patrons how they have used the databases and what they used it for. This can help harness new ideas for promoting database versatility.
    
  • Testimonials from patrons. You might periodically post a link on your homepage to get user feedback. You might ask one question, with different ones asked over time. This could also be paired with written form and drop box available at the reference desk. Some possible questions:
    
    • "Tell us how the library has helped you"
      
    • "How have you used your library lately?
      
    • "What's the neatest thing you've ever done at the library?
      
    • How would you get a friend who doesn't use the library to use it?
      
      Consider making this into a contest for the best answer/s.
      
      
• Informal survey or discussion session. This can happen very conveniently:
  o Over a short coffee break
  o Briefly at the time patrons check out or return materials
  o As a short follow-up phone call
  o At a business or social function
  
  
• Use feedback gathered to actively promote your resources.
  Do newsletter piece, poster, or bookmark to promote the library. Some ideas:
  o Top 10 Ways to Use the Library {See an example from the Phoenix Public Library.)
  o Interesting Things to do at the Library
  o Top 10 books, DVD's etc.
  o Funny responses

Sample Surveys

• Who are You? - a survey to gather general lifestyle/preference info
• General Library Surveys
  

Phrases for Introducing a Survey

Have more ideas? Please share them with us!