Responses largely positive on Grand Forks Public Library survey
May 17—GRAND FORKS — Library users gave high marks to the Grand Forks Public Library in a survey conducted last month and presented to the Library Board on Wednesday.
"The big takeaway is that a lot of people love the library, which is heartening," said library director Wendy Wendt.
Respondents to the survey offered a largely positive assessment of the library's materials, service and staff, and programs. The survey was conducted between April 1 and 14 online and via paper surveys at the library itself.
Three-hundred eighty-four people responded. An overwhelming number of the respondents identified themselves as female, white and Grand Forks residents. Most respondents were between the ages of 25 and 44, and most held a college degree.
Wendt said the library attempted to make the survey as accessible as possible, but thought social media users, particularly those who follow the library's programs that way, probably found it easiest to respond.
Brad Sherwood, chair of the Library Board, said he'd liked to have seen more representation from the library's diverse set of computer users and from clients at the LISTEN Center, which is located across the street and whose clients frequent the library during the day. The LISTEN Center serves residents with intellectual disabilities.
He was otherwise pleased with the survey, however.
"It's a good tool to check to see if we're meeting the needs of the community," he said.
Patrons reported they largely used the library to borrow books, use the children's area, and attend children's programming.
Respondents offered several suggestions for how the library could improve, including adding courses on budgeting, more weekend activities for kids, and reducing noise levels.
Some also suggested adding more amenities to cater to adults, like a coffee bar and live music.
Wendt said library staff were already in talks about more weekend programming. She said the library planned to add a children's storytime session on Saturdays in the coming weeks.
Some respondents also requested extended hours during the weekend, but Sherwood said that would be more challenging due to staff costs.
"We'll look at that, but that has some different ramifications than 'Let's do some concerts and get some coffee,'" he said.
Wendt said people can continue to submit input to the library if they missed the chance to fill out a survey.
"If people didn't get the chance, it's not too late," Wendt said. "Give us a phone call, send us a letter, or email the library, any of those."
