Libraries Together
Bettendorf Davenport LeClaire Scott County
|
Libraries Together Bettendorf Davenport LeClaire Scott County
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Bettendorf Public Library: Faye Clow, director. 563/344-4175 Davenport Public Library: LaWanda Roudebush, director. 563/326-7832 LeClaire Community Library: Kim Kietzman, director. 563/289-2788 Scott County Library System: Pam Collins, director. 563/285-4794 Consensus: Jennifer Wilding, project director. 816/531-5078 (media only) Scott County public libraries release second of five Libraries Together reports (July 29, 2005) The four public libraries in Scott County today released the second of five reports of their Libraries Together project. The 76-page report, "An Inside Look: Libraries in Scott County, Iowa," provides an analysis of the systems that each library in Scott County uses and offers options for improving their efficiency or effectiveness. The report also includes the results of a customer satisfaction survey that was mailed to a randomly selected group of cardholders from each library. "An Inside Look" addresses national trends and includes the results of interviews and data provided by library directors and staff members. It offers options for action that libraries could use to increase efficiency and effectiveness. The full report is available at www.librariestogether.org/news.htm. The libraries kicked off Libraries Together on March 1, 2005. The ten-month study will use public input to plan for the future. As Iowa searches for ways to deliver all government services more efficiently, the libraries initiated the study to allow Scott County library patrons to help shape the directions their libraries will take over the next several decades. Among the findings from the customer satisfaction survey: Library patrons move from library to library. o While 99.6 percent of Bettendorf residents said they used the Bettendorf Public Library most often, 24.1 percent said they’d visited the Davenport main library within the last year. o Of Davenport residents, 72 percent said they used the Davenport Public Library most often, and 25.4 percent said they used the Bettendorf library most often. o Of LeClaire residents, 64.3 percent said they used that library most often, while 31 percent and 4.8 percent used Bettendorf and Davenport, respectively. o More Scott County Library System patrons used Bettendorf (17.7 percent) and Davenport (12.9 percent) libraries the most than any library in the Scott County system except the Eldridge branch (45.8 percent). Of the other eight branches, Blue Grass was the most used, with 5.6 percent saying they used it most often, and Long Grove and New Liberty were least used, with just 0.8 percent using them most often. The great majority of patrons gave their libraries an "A" or "B" grade. Of people who visited a library the most often, the following percentage gave the library an "A": Bettendorf, 71.7; Davenport main, 41.7; Scott County Eldridge, 62.2; LeClaire, 59.4. Parking at the Davenport main library received one of the lowest satisfaction scores across all categories and all libraries, with only 49.6 percent saying they were satisfied. Card holders were asked which services they would like to see implemented within the next three years. Overall, the most common responses were 1) Sunday hours, 2) Friday evening hours, and 3) more programming for adults. The report includes a variety of options for action, including: Efficiency overall. Libraries seek regional funding for regional assets, such as Davenport Public Library special collections and lending by one library to residents of other libraries. Scott County Library System develops a strategic plan that includes a review of branches. Governance. Elected officials motivate and reward the trustees they appoint. All boards recruit minority members. Scott County and Bettendorf should limit trustees to two, six-year terms, as do Davenport and LeClaire. Funding. Libraries explore the option of being independent taxing districts. Libraries charge for some services. Libraries provide services to other libraries. Staffing. Libraries develop a long-term staffing plan. Davenport undertakes a labor allocation review. Scott County reviews staff salaries. LeClaire increases the number of staff members. Reference and special collections. Davenport tracks use of special collections by non-residents. Libraries review databases and consider cooperative purchasing. Programs for children, teens, adults and seniors. Libraries make programming more systematic and proactive. Libraries use programs as a means to build community. Davenport develops programs specifically for business persons. Communications. Each library develops a strategic plan for public relations. Each library centralizes responsibility for the library’s website. Libraries undertake media relations beyond the Quad City media. The Libraries Together project is designed to give library patrons an opportunity to review the facts, consider the various options and consequences of action, and identify which options they prefer. The study, conducted by the non-profit Consensus organization, will include a county-wide survey on options for action and a series of public forums, as well as the customer satisfaction survey already completed. Consensus is a Kansas City-based non-profit organization with 20 years of experience garnering public input to guide public policy. Among Consensus team members is Thomas Hennen, director of the Waukesha County Federated Library System in Wisconsin and author of the HAPLR Index, which rates the nation’s libraries. Subsequent interim reports will focus on collaboration (sharing of services), and unification (sharing of governance and funding). Consensus will deliver a final report detailing options for actions in December 2005. The report will not offer recommendations, but instead will offer several possible options for the citizens of Scott County. Funders of Libraries Together include the Scott County Regional Development Authority, the Riverboat Development Authority, State Library of Iowa and Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library, as well as each of the libraries. # # # The four libraries of Scott County created Libraries Together as a means to be proactive in responding to shifts in how the state and local governments provide services. In its first phase, the libraries have requested an objective outsider’s look at options for improving library service. The 10-month effort will engage the public through surveys and public meetings. The final report will include a range of options, from simple operational efficiencies to consideration of complete change for all four libraries, and the likely staff, board and public response to each. For more information visit the Libraries Together website at
www.librariestogether.org.
|
|
Send mail to
Webmistress with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
