31 Library Survey Questions: Guide to Gather Actionable Insights

Collection Development Surveys

Why & When to Use

Aligning what’s on your shelves or in your databases with true library collection feedback is a modern must. Use this feedback tool before you lock in your annual materials budget or take a leap into new genres, languages, or media types.

Think of this survey like a crystal ball—what do your patrons truly crave? Do they gobble up e-books, or still adore printed tomes? Maybe there’s a fresh hunger for multicultural stories.

Key moments to launch this survey:

• When debating between more bestsellers vs branching into special collections
  
• Seeing a rise in requests for movies, games, or graphic novels
  
• Updating your foreign language offerings and needing community input
  
• After adding resources for diverse groups or underrepresented voices
  
• Spotting trends in what’s popular, but unsure if interest will last
  

A standout library collection feedback survey is your secret ingredient for a buzzworthy, well-used collection. Go beyond gut feelings—let the data guide your next great acquisition.

5 Sample Questions

1. Which formats do you borrow most often (print, e-book, audiobook, DVD, etc.)?

2. Which genres or topics would you like to see expanded?

3. How satisfied are you with the availability of diverse or multicultural materials?

4. Do you prefer more copies of popular titles or a wider selection of niche titles?

5. How important are curated reading lists or staff picks in your selection process?

Effective collection assessment provides quantitative and qualitative data for evaluating a library's holdings, aiding in strategic planning and identifying strengths and weaknesses. (journals.library.ualberta.ca)

Facility & Environment Surveys

Why & When to Use

If your library is buzzing—but not in the good way—consider a library space survey. This handy feedback loop ensures your physical space fits community needs. Planning a renovation? Swapping quiet rooms for more tech hubs? Ask first and avoid renovation regret.

A survey like this is priceless if you hear rumblings about noisy study areas or constant “Where’s the bathroom?” questions. It’s the best way to spot everything from shortage of seating to awkward building signage.

You’ll want to run a facility survey:

• Before moving shelves, buying new furniture, or carving out meeting rooms
  
• When feedback about library noise creeps into comment cards
  
• If seating pinches during busy after-school hours
  
• Before sinking funds into new computers or printers
  
• When navigation complaints spike and folks wander lost between departments
  

An effective study area feedback survey can uncover simple tweaks—like better signs or softer lighting—that make your library a second home for all. Every square foot can work just a little bit smarter.

5 Sample Questions

1. How would you rate the comfort of seating in study areas?

2. Is library noise level appropriate for your needs?

3. How satisfied are you with computer availability and performance?

4. Does the current signage help you navigate the building easily?

5. What facility enhancement would most improve your visit?

Program & Event Feedback Surveys

Why & When to Use

Optimizing workshops, story times, and epic author visits becomes a breeze with library event survey questions. This tool unlocks exactly what drew guests and what could tempt them back for more. Fire it up as soon as a program ends so feedback stays fresh and honest.

It’s also your roadmap when dreaming up a new event series or making the case for budget increases. Want proof your poetry night packed the house or your coding workshop made STEM less scary? Here’s your evidence.

Perfect timing for this survey includes:

• Directly after any in-person or virtual program wraps up
  
• Ahead of planning your next round of cool workshops
  
• When applying for funding or grants where measurable outcomes matter
  
• As registration numbers grow, but engagement dips
  
• After piloting new event formats or experimenting with hybrid events
  

Letting library users rate your “show” keeps programs lively, relevant, and always evolving. A cheeky or creative question can even spark ideas for next time.

5 Sample Questions

1. How relevant was the program’s content to your interests?

2. Was the session length appropriate?

3. How satisfied are you with the presenter’s expertise and delivery?

4. What time of day works best for future events like this?

5. What topics would you like covered in upcoming programs?

Effective library event surveys should be concise, clear, and distributed promptly after events to maximize response rates and gather actionable feedback. (asaecenter.org)

Digital Resource Usage Surveys

Why & When to Use

For libraries embracing streaming, e-books, and digital databases, an online library services survey is your best friend. These surveys dig into what’s hot (or not) in your web catalog, mobile app, or digital magazine collection.

Launch this survey when you’re renegotiating with big vendors, deciding if it’s worth upgrading your e-lending platform, or after troubleshooting tech hiccups. The insights help you match pricey platforms with actual demand.

Situations ripe for a digital usage survey:

• Before renewing subscriptions to e-magazines or premium video streaming
  
• After launching a new mobile interface or app
  
• If tech support tickets spike for e-book downloads
  
• When deciding to expand or cut under-used online databases
  
• After a glitch affects access to remote learning tools or databases
  

With ever-changing device preferences, knowing what digital content your patrons truly want is key. Their answers could mean the difference between a hit app and a digital ghost town.

5 Sample Questions

1. Which digital resources have you used in the past month?

2. How user-friendly do you find our online catalog or app?

3. Have you experienced technical issues accessing e-books or databases?

4. How satisfied are you with the range of digital magazines and journals?

5. What additional online services would you like the library to offer?

Community Needs Assessment Surveys

Why & When to Use

Big planning cycles or shifting neighborhood demographics call for a library community survey. This long-view, strategic survey guides libraries in balancing legacy offerings with bold new creative services.

Conduct it as part of your formal strategic plan every handful of years. Or, spin it up quickly when new families move in, an aging population grows, or language diversity surges.

You’ll want to use a library community survey:

• While charting out a new three- or five-year strategic plan
  
• After seeing significant changes in your community’s makeup
  
• Before introducing community-wide priorities, like literacy drives
  
• When census or local data hints at big shifts ahead
  
• If your board needs proof to green-light new investments
  

By elevating community voices, you’ll future-proof your library and stay at the center of what matters most.

5 Sample Questions

1. What are the biggest information or literacy challenges in your household?

2. Which age-group programs (early literacy, teen, adult) are most needed?

3. How important is free internet access to you?

4. What hours of operation best meet your schedule?

5. What new services would most benefit the community?

Staff Service Quality Surveys

Why & When to Use

No library operates without its team of unsung heroes. A library staff feedback survey ensures every interaction leaves patrons glowing, and helps pinpoint training needs for your all-star crew.

Deploy these surveys right after a service encounter via digital follow-up or before organizing team development workshops and annual reviews. Honest, constructive feedback means fewer misunderstandings and more five-star moments.

You’ll find these surveys particularly useful:

• After reference interviews or specialized research help
  
• When introducing new staff, especially in high-visibility roles
  
• If public comments repeatedly mention fantastic or less-than-perfect staff
  
• Prior to team retreats or morale-boosting events
  
• While considering promotions or reassignments
  

A well-structured staff service quality survey gives you the clearest picture of where your people shine—and where a friendly nudge might help them soar.

5 Sample Questions

1. How knowledgeable was the staff member who assisted you?

2. Was your question resolved fully during your visit?

3. How courteous and respectful was the staff interaction?

4. Did staff proactively offer additional help or resources?

5. How could our staff improve future service?

Best Practices & Survey Dos and Don’ts

Effective Library Survey Essentials

Crafting an effective library survey means more than piping questions into a template. The best ones are crisp, concise, and respectful of patrons’ time. Here’s your checklist of dos and don’ts to keep every survey sparkling:

• Keep surveys snappy! Limit to 10–12 questions where possible
  
• Ensure questions have clear language, no insider jargon
  
• Always reassure anonymity to boost honest answers
  
• Promote surveys using multiple channels, from email to social media to print flyers
  
• Test-run your survey with a small audience for unexpected issues
  
• Use branching logic for a customized experience—skip irrelevant questions
  
• Send follow-up reminders, but not too many (nobody loves a spammy library)
  
• Share results and, most importantly, tell patrons what will change based on feedback
  
• Design with mobile devices in mind for maximum reach
  
• Mix up question styles: ratings, open-ended, and multiple choice for richer insights
  

A stellar survey keeps your library agile, catching signals fast and acting on them quickly. Remember: your final, crucial move is converting feedback into real improvements, from that one extra evening hour to a monthly sci-fi book club.

Action Steps for Survey Success

• Always pilot test your survey before sharing it widely
  
• Time distribution for best results—avoid holidays and busy seasons
  
• Translate responses into actions with staff and public updates
  
• Celebrate feedback milestones and engage patrons about what changed
  
• Remain flexible; the first survey may not be perfect, but you’ll learn every time

Conclusion

Gathering feedback is the lifeline of a thriving, people-centered library. Every well-placed question is a step toward innovation, inclusion, and deeper community bonds. Use these targeted survey types to spark continuous growth and connection. Your library’s best chapter is just one smart question away. Happy surveying!