Public Library Annual Survey

Organizational Changes

• Technology questions formerly in a separate section have been added to Section 8: Services.
• This section now includes questions about registered borrowers formerly located in Section 1: General System Information.
• Programming data elements formerly located in this section have been moved to their own section, Section 9: Programming.

Removed: Website Visits

#8.3a Reporting Method for Wireless Sessions was introduced in FY2021. The question specifies the way in which wireless sessions data is collected. For this question, all libraries should select "Annual Count" for their response to this question.

Ocean State Libraries (OSL) provides two files that contain wireless statistics for libraries. One file contains statistics for the library building, and the other file contains statistics for the parking lot WiFi.

This data has not been prefilled, but OLIS has access to the data and can provide assistance if you are unable to locate the two files. Please contact Kelly Metzger for assistance.

Q: Can one-on-one technology assistance be included in reference transactions?

A: Yes. Report in #8.2 Reference Transactions.

• (From definition): (1) A reference transaction includes information and referral service, scheduled and unscheduled individual instruction and assistance in using information sources (including websites and computer-assisted instruction).

Q: Where should I report book delivery to shut-ins?

A: Yes. Report in #8.3 Curbside Transactions.

• (Definition): "The number of contactless or minimal contact transactions for the purpose of circulating physical materials, taking place outside the library building. Similar terms could include outside, vestibule, or porch pickups, delivery (mail or dropoff), drive-thru, etc."

Q: Which amount do we report for #8.5 Non-Resident Borrower's Fee?

A: This question is asking what the library charges for a local access card. OSL sets the cost for the full access card.