Help shape the next chapter of the Thomas Ford Memorial Library! Your feedback will directly guide our new strategic plan. This survey takes about five minutes, and your responses are completely confidential.

*1.Are you a Western Springs Resident?(Required.)

Yes

No

*2.How often do you or your family members visit the Thomas Ford Memorial Library (in person or online)?(Required.)

Weekly or more

1–2 times a month

A few times a year

Rarely or never

3.What are your primary reasons for visiting or using the library? (Select all that apply)

Borrowing physical materials (books, DVDs, audiobooks)

Accessing digital materials (e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming)

Attending programs, events, or classes

Using technology (computers, Wi-Fi, printing, scanning)

Using study rooms or quiet workspaces

Bringing children/teens to youth spaces or activities

Connecting with community members or meeting people

Other (please specify)

4.What do you value most about the library today? (Select all that apply)

Books, audiobooks, and e-media

High-speed Wi-Fi, computers, and printing/scanning

Public spaces for quiet study, reading, or working

Meeting rooms for community groups and collaboration

Programs and events for children and families

Programs and events for teens or adults

Staff expertise and assistance

Other (please specify)

*5.Please review the following statements. While all of these represent important services offered by the Library, which three would you select as the most important for you and your family right now?(Required.)

Satisfy Curiosity: Lifelong Learning. Residents will have the resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout their lives.

Stimulate Imagination: Reading, Viewing, and Listening for Pleasure. Residents who want materials to enhance their leisure time will find what they want when and where they want them and will have the help they need to make choices from among the options.

Succeed in School: Homework Help. Students will have the resources they need to succeed in school.

Information Fluency: Understand How to Find, Evaluate, and Use Information. Residents will know when they need information to resolve an issue or answer a question and will have the skills to search for, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information to meet their needs.

Visit a Comfortable Place: Physical and Virtual Spaces. Residents will have safe and welcoming physical places to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read and will have open and accessible virtual spaces that support networking.

Celebrate Diversity: Cultural Awareness. Residents will have programs and services that promote appreciation and understanding of their personal heritage and the heritage of others in the community.

Know Your Community: Community Resources and Services. Residents will have a central source for information about the wide variety of programs, services, and activities provided by community agencies and organizations.

Be an Informed Citizen: Local, National, and World Affairs. Residents will have the information they need to support and promote democracy, to fulfill their civic responsibilities at the local, state, and national levels, and to fully participate in community decision making.

Create Young Readers: Early Literacy. Children from birth to five will have programs and services designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn to read, write, and listen.

6.What is one thing the library could introduce, change, or improve to serve you better over the next 3 to 5 years?

7.If you rarely or never use the library, what is the primary reason?

I get my books/information elsewhere (bookstores, internet)

The hours are not convenient for me

I am unaware of what the library offers

The library doesn't have the materials, technology, or services I need

Transportation or parking issues

Not applicable (I am a regular user)

Other (please specify)

8.How do you currently find out about library news, events, and services? (Select all that apply)

Library newsletter (printed or emailed)

Library website

Social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

Word of mouth

Flyers or banners inside the library

I rarely receive information about the library.

Other (please specify)

9.Your age group:

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

10.Are there children under the age of 18 living in your household?

Yes

No

11.Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Thank you for your time and for helping us plan for the future!