Letter to the Editor: Tell Us What You Think in the Orcas Island Library Summer Survey

As of Friday, August 5, 128 people have completed the 2010 Summer Community Survey. Our goal is to double that number by the time of the August 14 Library Fair.

The survey is located on the library’s home page: www.orcaslibrary.org. You can complete it online by clicking the icon that says: SURVEY.  It takes about 5-6 minutes to complete.

Some of the questions address issues about the library’s collection, use of space, and support for community discussion. There are also open-ended questions that encourage you to tell us how we can make the library better. Please note that this is not a secret attempt to build support for a building addition, which is not in the Library’s current planning.

The results of the survey really do matter. For example, recent surveys have shown support for the Library to add Sunday hours, which are now in place for the rest of this year, thanks to donations from Bob Henigson, Bob Lundeen, and the Friends of the Library. Very likely, we will continue those hours on a regular basis.

Although Phil and the Library Trustees prefer to talk with people individually when possible, a survey is the next best thing. For residents who do not own a computer with internet access, please feel free either to use one of the computers at the library, ask us to mail you a paper survey (call 376-4985), or fill out a paper survey available at our service desk.

The library exists for all of us. This is why it is important for us to understand what the community needs, and to know both what community members think makes the library user friendly and useful  and what does not.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey. Also, please consider visiting our upcoming Library Board meeting on August 9 from 9 to 11 am at the Library; or our Board Retreat that same day, from 1 to 5 pm.

Rachel Newcombe, Library Board Community Relations Chair, and Phil Heikkinen, Library Director