The Library's community survey

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, September 2017; written by Pat Tully

The Ketchikan Public Library’s Community Survey ended on September 15, [2017]. Many thanks to all who participated! We tried to get responses from a broad a cross-section of residents, so in addition to the survey link on our website and weekly Facebook and Twitter posts, survey forms were available in the Library, at the UAS-Ketchikan Campus Library, in the August 12-13 edition of the Ketchikan Daily News, at the Blueberry Arts Festival and the Ketchikan Volunteer Fair, and one Saturday each at the Alaskan & Proud Market and Walmart.

We will have a full summary of the responses available soon on the Library’s website, but in case you are curious, here are some preliminary results:

567 people took the survey, or 4.1% of the approximately 13,746 residents of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Of these, 432 took the adult survey, 44 took the teen survey, and 91 took the children’s survey. 12% of the respondents indicated that they do not use the library.

While statistics can be interesting, your comments and suggestions are invaluable. “Great facility that helps ‘sell’ Ketchikan, especially to families w/ youngsters.” “The wonderful staff, the aesthetics, accessibility in locale and hours - the positive approach to everything.” The helpfulness of the staff and the beauty of the building were mentioned again and again, but responses touched on all the amenities, resources and services the Library provides. The Friends of the Ketchikan Public Library book sale was praised by several people (coming up October 6-8 at the Plaza), as was the book sale cart in the Library lobby.

As for how the library can improve, “a self service printing kiosk or updated printing process that would enable customers to print from their own devices,” and “2 hour wifi access, 1 hour is too short,” were just two of the suggestions to improve Library technology.

“I would suggest that the Library always remember there are equally valuable programs happening throughout the community and to keep aware of conflicts with scheduling events.” Very true—this is always a challenge. The Library is a member of the recently-formed Ketchikan Arts Cohort, and one important activity of the Cohort is to coordinate scheduling of major events to minimize conflicts.

The Library might do a better job of promoting its services, as indicated by these suggestions for improvement: “Transfers of books from the schools for pick up and check out at library.” In fact we do offer this service, via the online catalog we share with the University of Alaska Southeast – Ketchikan Campus Library and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Libraries. If a book you want is at another library, just place a hold on it and indicate you would like to pick it up at the Ketchikan Public Library.

“Stay open until 8pm - offer programs later (if stay open later). Be open on Sunday afternoons.” The Library is open until 8pm Monday through Wednesday, till 6pm Thursday through Saturday, and from 1-5pm Sunday afternoons. “Tool loans for Homeowners instead of always buying something you will only use once.” The Public Library does not offer tools for loan, but the Ketchikan Tool Library does; for more information go to: ketchikantoollibrary.org.

“Keep present staff - They make magic happen!!” I couldn’t agree more!