Week 2: Narrowing Topic Choices

Continuing on. The second week was tough because librarians were either too busy or didn't have the knowledge to answer my Q's. Basically, they shuffled me over to talk to librarian X except librarian X was off that day and I should come in another time.

So my 3 questions were this:
1. Would you like to see more user feedback on what books/material that patrons would like to see? Or is your feedback amount quite sufficient for now?
2. Do you think each library branch could feel more localized to the community they're located in? Eg: anything from material collection based on community needs to reflecting its community spirit. (really didn't know how to rephrase it)
3. Do you think the VPL website/catalogue could be improved?

Sept 4
Mount Pleasant branch @ 6:30-7pm:
Talked to another Children's Librarian, D'Arcy. He said the library has suggested purchase forms where users can suggest specific titles for the library to order but not a lot of users know about it. I noticed there were "How Did We Do Today?" survey forms at the checkout counter but were quite unnoticeable. D'Arcy said they only get 1 or 2 responses each day, usually complaints or suggestions. For community needs, there's an Outreach service, which tries to get inclusive people like disabled people, jail convicts, etc...people who don't usually visit the library at all to use the library. They visit food banks, shelters, hospitals, etc and design programs to fit their needs. D'Arcy said they're doing well in reaching out to the community but not so much in improving their material collection. VPL website was recently revamped to be more dynamic and serve user needs better and will continue to evolve. Library didn't have much choice in buying their catalogue system so I didn't get relevant info on how it can be improved. It seemed like a "take it or leave it" attitude.

Sept 9
South Hill branch @ 2:15-2:40pm:
Visiting Central branch was a flop on the 8th. I talked to Susan at South Hill next day who works at the info desk, too. Almost got turned away with the suggestion to come back when the manager was in, but she answered 2 of my Q's. She couldn't say about user feedback. As for community, she said the library is already trying to serve those needs. Each branch carries materials in languages reflecting the community its in. Eg: Hindu books in South Hill for the large Hindu population and French books in Fraserview branch for its French speakers. There are what's known as Area Branches that are bigger libraries like Oakridge branch. They support the smaller libraries like South Hill in material collection. Smaller libraries will have a general variety of material on a certain topic, but for a more varied specialized range, the bigger libraries will have it. Also, they have a "floating" program. A user borrows a book from one branch and returns it at another branch, but the book stays at that branch so people living near that branch can have a chance to read something not usually offered at their local branch. Not much comment on improving online resources though. She couldn't comment on the website/catalogue because she's an employee. She said the same stuff that D'Arcy said but said the interface appearance could be aesthetically improved.

Fraserview branch @ 5:50-6pm:
Short interview, short answers, short time. Talked to Gail working at the Info desk. She said the library doesn't get enough feedback but is always looking for more responses. They do localized their branches by improving their material collection. The website recieved a recent makeover to be user-friendly and will be developing a children's book section on it.

Sept 10
Firehall branch @ 5-5:15pm:
Talked to Alison at the Info desk. They get a lot of feedbackthrough their suggested purchase forms, only a few each day. Huh. Other librarians say they don't get enough. Okay. They also have "centralized ordering" which is ordering materials for a specific community depending on their interests, ethnicity, family situation, etc. The library in general does have an institutional feel rather than a local look because that's what the library is: a government institution. Recently it is getting away from that feel a little. She couldn't comment on the website/catalogue though because she's an employee.

From all that, I decided on my topic of helping the library gather feedback from its users. Because there wasn't much comment on the library's online resources and the community branding issue seemed too complex. Not to mention that most of the info I got were related to developing material collection.