Libraries get good
grades from patronsA survey conducted in November
shows many library patrons are
willing to pay fees
Most patrons are happy with Hawaii's public libraries but want them to stay open longer and stock more books and materials, according to survey results released yesterday.
Eighty percent of the 4,700 people who completed the written survey gave the system either an excellent or good rating, with 35 percent giving it an A and 45 percent a B. The surveys were handed out at all state libraries in November.
"We're very proud of our staff for being able to earn such a high rating from the public under circumstances of insufficient funding and staff vacancies," state Librarian Jo Ann Schindler said yesterday after the results were presented at a state Board of Education meeting. "There is certainly room for improvement, and hopefully we will have sufficient funding to bring the public the services that they deserve to have."
Roughly 15 percent of respondents gave the system a fair rating, or a C. Just 2 percent gave the libraries a D, or poor rating, the same number who checked "don't know." Fewer than 1 percent graded it F.
Hawaii's public libraries have cut back their hours because of a lack of funding and staff. Adding more library hours was identified as a top priority in the survey, as well as more books and materials.
Continuing to provide library programs and reference service came next on the priority list.
Patrons also indicated they were willing to put their money where their mouths are. Asked if they would be willing to pay a nominal fee for services such as Internet time, computer printouts or fax transmittals, 73 percent said yes.
And 82 percent of respondents said they would donate $2 of their tax refunds to the library system when that becomes an option in 2005. Many others indicated that they would be willing to do so but could not because they were not state residents or were too young to pay taxes.
The survey results are expected to bolster the library's case as legislators consider the state budget.
"When the library staff, administration and the patrons all say we need more hours, we need to fill our vacancies and we want more materials, I think it's a very good position to approach the Legislature and say, 'Please, we really need this funding,'" Schindler said.
