Answers to Staff Questions - Programming Survey Results

Submitted by Leslie Marinelli

It's time to answer another question from the January 10th You Ask, We Answer blog post. So far we've addressed your questions about programming cutbacks, staff shirts, online paycheck and leave balances, the Library Limelight selection process, two software-related suggestions, the Denmark Library, and leave balances on pay stubs. 

Today Programming Manager Cleo Joyce answers this question about the programming survey:

 "After the IS Training Day a few months ago, we were asked to complete a survey about programming. May we know the results of that survey and are our suggestions/answers taken into serious consideration?"

In August of 2021, all staff were invited to complete a survey about programming at FCPL. We received 41 responses from staff in different positions and in different departments and branches. The survey covered many topics including the number of programs, time spent planning programs, which programs they viewed as the most important and impactful, and groups we aren’t currently serving through our programs. Here were the takeaways and trends from the survey:

• Staff time is limited; staff want to see a balance between branch duties and programming.
• Training is a need. Staff would like to be provided with information on upcoming trainings.
• Staff could use more communication about programming on both a system-wide level and what is happening at their branch.
• Staff recognize the importance of a program’s impact and the value in the library representing our community and branches representing their specific communities. 
• Staff want to show patrons the library is fun and get patrons in the doors. Staff wanted to know more about programming with intentionality and program impacts and outcomes and how staff can ensure their programs are still fun.

The results of this survey were shared with branch supervisors and discussed at ISS and YSS Meetings. The goal of the survey was to gauge staff’s current thoughts on programming and to get ideas for the future. The survey collected lots of great data and comments, some of which were acted on immediately while others are considerations for the future. Each set of responses was looked at carefully. Some immediate actions that were taken:

• The Programming Manager provided training to all public services staff on programming with intentionality.
• The ISSs and YSSs spend time at each meeting sharing what is happening at their branch so we’re all aware of what is going on at each branch—how programs went that week, what is coming up in the near future, and what is being planned. 
• The Programming Manager has been looking carefully at the number of programs per branch and working with branch supervisors to plan sustainable levels of programs (see previous blog post).

Some of the items we’re working on for the future: 

• Reaching new audiences. Some groups that were mentioned multiple times in the survey:
• ESL patrons: we will be hosting conversational English classes at each of our branches this spring.
• Young adults (20-30): the recent How-To Fest had programs catering to many different interests and this April we’ll be offering an International Sports series we think will appeal to young adults.
• Neurodiverse adults: CU and HP are each offering an Adult Special Needs Craft & Story Hour.
• There were many comments on wanting a better variety of prizes for summer reading, including less treat coupons, which the Programming Manager will be working on in the coming months.
• The Programming Manager is working on better ways to communicate about upcoming programming related trainings. 
• Overall, respondents felt the number of programs for kids and adults was right on. 40% of respondents thought we could be doing more for teens and tweens.
• Each branch’s TAB this year is focusing on planning programs for teens to ensure we have a well-rounded teen schedule with programs that appeal to teens.
• Staff continue to do an exceptional job coming up with ideas that are engaging, relevant, and interesting, but are still educational, informational, and cultural. The program series we have for adults this spring are great examples of this.
• The Celebrating Black History Month series will include live jazz and storytelling.
• The Celebrating Women series in March will not just be about women’s history, but will be relevant and timely for women in our community.
• The May series highlighting Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage is planning programs to feature Indian dance performances and a lecture on K-pop.

The Programming Manager plans to continue to survey staff in the future to get feedback about our programs. Suggestions are always welcome, though, even if there is not a formal survey. If you have program ideas, suggestions, or programming concerns that you feel haven’t been taken into serious consideration, we’d like to know. Please speak with your supervisor or contact Cleo directly.