You're struggling to enhance library services. How can you gather valuable feedback from patrons effectively?

To gather valuable feedback from patrons and enhance library services, use a combination of methods such as surveys, focus groups, comment cards, one-on-one interviews, social media, suggestion boxes, user experience studies, community outreach, and patron advisory boards. Ensure that feedback mechanisms are accessible, user-friendly, and anonymous if desired. Clearly analyze and act upon the feedback, and respond to patrons to show that their input is valued. These strategies can help libraries collect actionable insights and make data-driven decisions to improve services, better meet patron needs, and foster a sense of community and inclusivity.

At the end of the Spring semester, our Director sends out a survey to gather student feedback. He carefully reviews each response, and we address the main concerns within reason. This approach has been effective, as students actively use the requested improvements. Some changes, like increased study space, more comfortable seating, and power outlets at the tables, have all been implemented based on their input.

1. Informal methods (chats, one-to-one interactions, etc) 2. Formal methods (surveys, verbal feedback while using Library services, feedback during Library skills sessions, feedback during drop-in sessions, feedback boards/boxes, etc) 3. Involve patrons in decision making 4. Engage users with an approach that appeals to them (younger patrons are likely to be more active on social media platforms, older patrons might prefer physical or phone conversations) 5. Ensure there are accessible channels for open communication

Surveys are a tried-and-true method for collecting feedback. You can create a survey with questions tailored to the aspects of library services you're looking to improve. Make sure to keep it concise to encourage participation and consider offering it in both digital and paper formats to reach a wider audience. Your questions should be clear, direct, and open-ended where possible to elicit detailed responses. Remember to include an option for respondents to leave contact information if they're open to a follow-up conversation.

"Recently, we relocated our library and encountered several issues. To address these, we conducted a survey of library users and tackled the problems one by one. Now, everything is in order."

Install interactive kiosks where patrons can quickly rate their experience or leave comments. Good use of suggestions box can be effective Incentives for feedback bookmarks or discounts at the library café,

Conducting surveys using feedback forms where patrons can be able to fill in information can be a great start to help you weigh what areas to start with when improving library services. Questions can be short precise and in simple English. the other option to use would be using suggestion boxes for the library users to provide feedback on library services with boxes to tick. other options would be one on one interactions, using focus groups etc. The aim here is solve the gap from its root.

Es una buena estrategia para recoger quejas pero no funciona muy bien para identificar expectativas y necesidades futuras de los usuarios

Organize small group discussions with diverse patron groups (e.g., students, parents, seniors) to get in-depth feedback. It will be highly useful

If you're struggling to enhance services, focus groups can be very helpful IF you also remember to try to include those who normally *wouldn't* use your services. There are ways to speak with partners or use anonymized surveys to reach out to these groups, and it often can help identify groups who need additional services.

Look for local family fun days or fairs where you can set up a booth to talk to patrons and bring along surveys and comment cards. Talk to local schools and see if you can do assemblies promoting your services, research resources and the summer reading challenge. If you have groups aimed towards those with mental health worries, ask your local GP if you can leave leaflets in the waiting room or if you've got something aimed towards older people, ask if you can go and talk in local care homes. Utilise social media to collect comments and ask followers questions.

Au Cameroun, seulement 8,3% de la population active fréquentent les bibliothèques. La principale raison reside dans la meconnaissance de ce qu'est la bibliothèque et ses services. Les bibliothécaires étant longtemps restés dans leur quatre murs pour attendre les usagers, une approche mobile a été expérimentée. Elle a consisté à aller vers les communautés avec les services tels que les sessions de bibliobus, les projections cinématographiques, les conférences-débats, les dedicaces, les concours de dictée, de lecture à haute voix et d'écriture ... dans les carrefours, hopitaux, les prisons ou autres zones populaires.

Algumas diicas úteis: ? Fique atento aos canais digitais e redes sociais da biblioteca; ? Converse com quem n?o é cliente e/ou deixou de ser cliente da biblioteca; Aplique pesquisas de satisfa??o: ? gostou do servi?o ou do produto? ? por que n?o utiliza nossos servi?os e produtos ofertados? ? teve as expectativas e necessidades atendidas? Contabilize e divulgue os dados da pesquisa de satisfa??o;

Monitor social media channels for feedback and actively engage with patrons to gather their thoughts. Use polls and questions on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to get quick input.

One thing I have observed is that professionals fear being 'vulnerable' before their clients yet therein lies the strength for effectiveness in library service provision. Allow for patrons-based evaluation of library services and staff attitude towards patrons Allow for user satisfaction rating of the services and collections. Recognize those that give feedback to make them know you value their time and effort. Be committed to making progressive changes suggested With the embrace of 'vulnerability' to identify weaknesses and possible solutions, several social research methods like polls, surveys and interviews can be employed to gather valuable feedback from patrons. You need to create motivation for clients and value for their input.

Fique atento com as intera??es das redes sociais: 1. Monitorar as men??es e intera??es sociais; 2. Acompanhe e interaja com os comentários e avalia??es de seus clientes nas redes sociais 3. Tenha uma atitude provocativa nas redes sociais.

Train staff to ask patrons for feedback during regular interactions and to record any comments or suggestions received. After events or services (like borrowing books, attending workshops), send follow-up emails asking for feedback

More often than not patrons have complaints about the library staff, which is why you cannot just rely on the feedback provided by the staff. The feedback process can be made anonymous so that patrons can really speak their minds. There are ways to ensure that like using Google forms, feedback boxes, etc.

Talk to people. Talk to the people using your library, talk to the employees who talk with the people using your library, and talk with folks at your institution. Sometimes hearing from someone who doesn't use the library can be enlightening!