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San Rafael library survey: patrons report high trust, request more weekend programs, digital loans
Summary
A staff presentation on March 10 summarized a state-run 'Every Story Counts' survey of local patrons: 170 responses showed 95% borrow items when visiting, 89% plan to return, and 76.8% trust library information. Respondents asked for more weekend/evening programs, digital content and expanded museum/park passes.
Daniel, a library staff presenter, told the Board of Library Trustees that San Rafael collected 170 responses to the California State Library’s "Every Story Counts" survey during a one-week snapshot. "We had 170 responses during that one-week period," he said, and reported that 95% of respondents said they borrow items when they visit, 89% said they plan to return, and 76.8% said they trust information from the library. He noted the systemwide average trust rate cited by the state was about 70%, putting San Rafael above that benchmark.
The survey asked patrons to select multiple use categories. The most-cited activity was borrowing physical items; other leading uses were getting information, using library space, attending programs, and accessing digital services. Daniel listed the digital platforms patrons named: Libby, Hoopla, Canopy, ZipBooks and New York Times digital access, and explained the library’s licensing model for Libby (a finite number of concurrent checkouts per title that the consortium supplements when demand is high).
Trustees pressed staff on program timing and access. Daniel summarized common requests from the survey: more weekend and evening story times and programs for families, more author talks and community learning, expanded audiobook and ebook availability, event streaming for remote attendees, additional ESL evening classes, more park and museum passes, and more seating and study nooks in branches.
Staff framed these requests against capacity constraints: limited space at branches, finite licensing for digital titles, and limited allocations of ticketed museum passes. Daniel said some demand could be met through partnerships with organizations such as College of Marin and through targeted purchases by the library consortium. He also described outreach methods the library used to promote services (QR codes, newsletter links and paper surveys at branches).
The board did not take further action on the presentation; staff said they will use the survey findings to prioritize program scheduling, digital collection purchases and outreach.
