Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Sherwood Public Library Community Needs Analysis Adam Carlson and Crystal Garcia Emporia State University
As demonstrated by the sharp decline in building permits issued to retailers over the past five to six years, Sherwood has certainly been affected by the economic downturn. However, the economy is slowly improving and Sherwood is once again seeing an increased level of interest from retailers looking to open businesses in Sherwood. This interest is most likely stimulated by the fact that Sherwood, even in this difficult economy, continues to have a high median income, making it an attractive community for retailers to grow their businesses. Senior Service Agencies. There are two assisted living facilities in Sherwood, one senior center, and one independent living organization. It is important to note that while there is one senior center in Sherwood, multiple organizations are involved in the operations of the center, including: the City of Sherwood, Loaves and Fishes, Faith in Action, and the Friends of the Senior Center. According to Grover, the two questions information professionals should consider in relation to agencies are: (1) Which of these agencies could benefit from information services offered by the
10
Lifestyles
History. Sherwood was established in its particular location because of its proximity to the Tualatin River. This connection to the Tualatin River and the surrounding environment still exists today and is apparent through the establishment of organizations such as the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, which is a large part of Sherwoods identity. While Sherwood was a rural community throughout most of its history, it now finds itself merging with the Portland metro area. This history explains the remaining agricultural businesses and also the tension between old and new Sherwood. Values. Based on the researchers 10+ years of experience working with Sherwood residents, coupled with the large number of churches and church activities in the community, it is apparent that religion is central in the lives of Sherwood residents who seem to build their sense of community largely through their churches. Library management has, over time, learned that Sherwood is a conservative community and has made adjustments in terms of programming and collection development based on this understanding. While there are some services for indigent populations, Sherwood has the third highest median income in Oregon which, perhaps, allows residents to place more value on non-social-
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
create cover letter to explain questions and value to them test it give to ALL focus group participants
1. If you feel comfortable telling us, what is your age? Income level? Education level? And family structure (living alone, w/ family, etc.)? 2. About how far would you say SPL is from your current place of residence? ____ less than mile ____ less than 1 mile ____ about 1 mile ____ between 1 and 2 miles ____ between 2 and 3 miles ____ more than 3 miles 3. Do you use the Sherwood Public Library? ____ Yes (Please skip questions 6 and 7) ____ No (Please skip questions 4 and 5) 4. If you answered yes to question #3, what would you say is the primary reason you use it for? ____ books ____ multimedia ____ socializing and getting out ____ computers ____ other reasons 5. If you answered other reasons to question #4 please write what you mean by other below. 6. If you answered no to question #3, what would you say is the primary reason you do not use the library? ____ unfriendly or unhelpful staff ____ I do not see a need to use it ____ It is too hard to get to ____ It does not have what I need ____ It is not a comfortable environment for me ____ other reasons 7. If you answered other reasons to question #6 please write what you mean by other below.
19
COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS Appendix B: Sample Questions from Interview of Kristen Switzer 1. Describe your position and its place within the Sherwood community. 2. What relationships do you have with senior focused organizations in the community? How do you primarily interact with seniors in the community? (Senior center) 3. How have those relationships come about? What have you done to foster these relationships? 4. Describe a typical senior in the Sherwood community? What are they like? What comes up in conversation when you interact with them? 5. What do you think are the primary needs of seniors in the community? What do they talk about needing? 6. How involved are seniors in city government and library affairs? Are there particular areas in which they seem more concerned and/or are more aware of? How do seniors see themselves within the community? 7. Are government and private agencies in Sherwood doing a good job of supporting seniors needs? If so how? If not, why? 8. Who in the community would be good to talk to about library services to seniors in Sherwood?
20
COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS Appendix C: Coded Observations of Library Use Field Observations: Date: 11/28/2012 Time: 6-8pm Place: Sherwood Public library front desk Details: Conditions outside were dark with cold, mostly dry weather. 1. Seniors around building: (walking by Pine St.) (driving by) (30 min) Those coming into library (Not yet completed) Not coming in (Not yet completed)
2. Total number of seniors (both entrances) (appear to be 60+) (60 min) (6-8pm Wednesday night) Senior 2 38 Not Senior
3. Area Seniors are In: (60min) Childrens DVD Self Front 1 NF Mags 1 CPUs Fic YA CDs 1
4. Use: (60 min, in conjunction w/ area use) CPU Other 1 Internet Copies Books 1 Media Study Read Social
21
COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS Appendix D: Quantitative Sampling of Library Use Age of library user, number of Checkouts in last year, and days since last in library. Average = 69 Zeros = 9 Age (60+) #CO 61 11 77 23 75 0 68 56 63 74 76 1 77 0 67 2 73 2 62 51 64 0 65 69 68 7 65 117 73 0 74 0 65 137 75 0 60 3 78 0 69 0 64 2 70 0 66 22 63 612 6 Days Since 7 14 180 0 0 72 284 64 60 0 607 0 6 15 89 603 2 0 5 445 586 35 384 12 0 | Age (25-45) 32 8 42 5 44 33 37 0 37 5 45 0 38 7 44 20 33 25 28 0 29 0 28 0 31 0 29 7 33 140 43 570 32 75 36 90 28 0 44 0 39 0 26 38 30 0 28 18 39 0 11 #CO 82 4 27 746 29 392 80 29 21 385 1042 316 166 58 21 0 5 7 527 493 511 3 174 23 675 1 Days 48 139 35 42 233
22
COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS Appendix E: Sample Focus Group Questions Focus Group Questions (6-8 library users) On what topics do you currently seek information the most? On what topics do you think you will seek information the most in the future? What would you describe as the most important values you have? What do you value in the Sherwood community? Does the Sherwood communitys values match up with your own? Have you used libraries in the past compared to now? What do you feel is the most important service offered at the public library? What should the library focus on providing for the community? What do you feel are the needs that seniors have in the Sherwood community? What should the library focus on providing you? What are your needs in the Sherwood community? Is the library meeting any of those needs? Do you have any ideas how the library might meet those needs? What would it take for the SPL to earn a gold star from you? Describe what the perfect library would be to you. If a friend or peer of yours were to ask you about the Sherwood libraries services to seniors, what would you tell them? What is your favorite service the library provides? If you were in charge of the Sherwood Library, what kinds of changes would you make? If you could change one thing about the libraries services to seniors, what would it be? And what is the main reason that one thing needs changing? Can you tell me 5 positive things (big or tiny) about the SPLs services to seniors? On what topics would you like to learn more? What service would you like to see offered at SPL that is not currently offered? What do you think about the new library? Did you use the old library in Sherwood? What changes have you seen over time at the library and in the community? What changes have you liked? What changes have you disliked?
23
COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS Focus Group Questions: (6-8 non-library users) On what topics do you currently seek information the most? On what topics do you think you will seek information the most in the future? What would you describe as the most important values you have? What do you value in the Sherwood community? Does the Sherwood communitys values match up with your own? Have you used libraries in the past compared to now? What do you feel is the most important service offered at the public library? What is one thing or things the library could do to help make you a library user? On what topics would you like to learn more? What should the library focus on providing for the community? What do you feel are the needs that seniors have in the Sherwood community? What should the library focus on providing you? What are your needs in the Sherwood community? Is the library meeting any of those needs? Do you have any ideas how the library might meet those needs? What do you think about the new library? Did you use the old library in Sherwood? What changes have you seen over time at the library and in the community? What changes have you liked? What changes have you disliked?
24