Last month, the library conducted a one-question survey from the home page of our Web site. We asked, "Would you recommend the library to a friend?" The choices were "yes" or "no", with a space for comments from anyone who was either on the fence or wished to further explain their choice.
The idea for this one-question survey was roughly based on a book called The Ultimate Question by Fred Reichheld who, after more than 25 years of studying customer loyalty, discovered that the answer to this one question might very well determine the future of an organization.
This was not a scientific survey. In fact, we received a comment from one survey respondent to the effect that anyone who was hanging around the library’s home page probably wouldn’t do so if they didn’t approve of the library. While there’s some truth in that, it’s also true that we receive both compliments and criticism from the suggestion boxes that the library has online and in-house all the time. So we thought we’d give this approach a try, and offer just one more way for customers to provide us with feedback.
In one week, we received 138 responses to the survey question, with 137 respondents voting "yes" and one "no". While comments were optional, over one-third of the respondents took the time to have their say. Here are just a few of the comments we received.
"Great library! You could do with more audio books."
" I would and I have [recommended the library]! Friendly staff, great website, and materials I can use. Plus it’s centrally located and books can be transferred from other libraries. And the used book sale rack is a great little find! Thank you."
""The online abilities are AWESOME! It is so great to be able to reserve books online, as well as renew books from home. As a working mom, this service is invaluable. Thank you so much!"
"The most current books are readily available and can be easily ordered via the internet. It’s wonderful to be able to read the popular books without having to actually purchase them."
"I use trips to the library as a reward for my 10 year old son. If he gets his homework done in a timely fashion, we take a trip to the library."
"In November of ’86, I visited Monterey with my New York Public Library card in my pocket. My husband-to-be’s idea of a ‘hot date’ was spending an evening touring the area’s libraries – Monterey, PG, and Carmel. I fell in love with the Monterey library and him. In April 1988, I got a husband and a new library card. In April 2008, two 20th anniversaries…"
"I even send out of town guests to the library to get history info, since it is across from Colton Hall. Thanks!"
"Heck yes! The Library…is da bomb! Literacy 4 lyfe. HOLLA!"
"It’s a fantastic local resource – an impressive book and media collection; multiple computers for Internet access; friendly and responsive staff. I also appreciate how the staff is open to buying new books for the collection based on suggestions from patrons."
"Thank you so much for being such an asset to our homeschooling efforts…"
To everyone who took the time to participate in the survey, we thank you. Your comments are helpful to us in understanding what aspects of the library you especially value and what we can do to continue improving services to you.
Health and Fitness was the topic of the day at the Park Lane Residence on Wednesday, May 28, where Library staff members, Victor Henry and Joanne White, had a table with a display of books and videos on all aspects of healthy living. Park Lane residents checked out books on brain health, spiritual health, healthy eating and staying physically active. They also had information on the Bookmobile, which stops at the Park Lane every Thursday afternoon from 1:00 - 2:00. One of the residents, Carolyn Gelzer, stopped by the Library's table and entered the Library's drawing for a gift basket and won a pedometer, note cards, and a book. 
