CDL: Community surveys.

From: John P Abbott <abbottjp_at_iplm3.appstate.edu> Date: Tue, 09 Aug 2005 15:23:55 -0400 To: colldv-l_at_usc.edu

Dear Collection Development List:

I just joined this listserv because I really need your wisdom and experience. I will be teaching a course on Library Materials at the College of Lake County in Illinois in the fall semester.  The course contains two major areas: collection development and acquisitions. 

I am trying to determine if public or other types of libraries conduct community surveys. The names for the surveys seem to vary. They can be:

Assessment surveys

Community needs surveys

Community surveys 

Library needs assessment

Library assessment surveys

 Has anyone performed such a survey in the last five years and, if so, how was it conducted? Were the results helpful to you in your collection development activities?  What type and size of library are you involved with?

Thank you so much for your help!

Robyn Petry
Instructor, College of Lake County