Survey of the Public Library Field

91´«Ã½

In February 2021, 2,967 respondents completed PLA’s Survey of the Public Library Field. The survey was designed to inform PLA’s strategic planning process and to better understand the current needs of our members and the field.

A selection of the survey results are presented below. Results for each question (shown in chart and table form) are based on the number of respondents who answered that question (N), rather than the total survey respondents overall.

Priorities

The top three library priorities identified are public awareness (55%), COVID-19 challenges (51%), and access to digital resources (49%).

What are your library's top three priorities? (thumbnail of graphed results); results are also detailed in the table that appears below this image

What are your library’s top three priorities? N=2,372
Access to digital resources 49.3%
Addressing equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice 44.3%
Broadband access 23.5%
COVID-19 challenges 50.9%
Funding 34.2%
Public awareness 55.2%
Staffing/recruitment 17.2%
Other responses include: community engagement, digital literacy, early literacy, lifelong learning, outreach, and workforce development. 10.7%

The top three areas in which libraries seek to create partnerships within their community are: economic recovery (55%), EDISJ (54.6%), and civic engagement (52.7%).

Thinking about your community's priorities, around which topics are you partnering, or see an opportunity to create partnerships with your community? (thumbnail of graphed results); results are also detailed in the table that appears below this image

Thinking about your community's priorities, around which topics are you partnering, or see an opportunity to create partnerships with your community? N=2,356
Addressing equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice 54.6%
Civic engagement 52.7%
Climate change and sustainability 18.2%
Economic recovery for job-seekers and small businesses 55.0%
Education achievement gaps 47.0%
Finding/gaining skills for jobs 51.6%
Food insecurity 28.3%
Serving people experiencing homelessness 29.0%
Other responses include: education, the environment, health, and literacy (of different types). 6.4%

These library priorities relate closely to areas in which respondents reported interest in learning more to improve their own competencies. The top three areas are community partnerships (56%); equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice (50%); and public programming (48.2%).

In what areas/topics are you interested in developing better competencies for your work? (thumbnail of graphed results); results are also detailed in the table that appears below this image

In what areas/topics are you interested in developing better competencies for your work? N=2,450
Advocacy and stakeholder communications 24.5%
Board/trustee engagement 19.2%
Community partnerships 56.0%
Data for decision making 31.6%
Digital literacy 35.5%
Early childhood literacy 23.4%
Economic development and job seeker support 22.9%
Equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice 50.0%
Facilitating groups 14.7%
Family engagement 28.2%
Fundraising and development 19.4%
Health literacy and consumer health information 19.1%
Leadership 39.4%
News literacy and combating misinformation 27.3%
Public programming 48.2%
Research 12.8%
Working with vulnerable populations (such as those experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, addiction) 39.8%
Other responses include: collection development, management, outreach and marketing, and technology. 5.9%

The Impact of COVID-19

Library staff have faced a range of challenges in their work as a result of COVID-19. Most common among them is burnout (57%). 22% reported having reduced work hours, the same percentage as reported increased work hours; the two are not mutually exclusive. 9% of respondents reported having been furloughed and 5% laid off. 11% of respondents have taken family or sick leave, 8% have changed jobs, and 35% have had their roles change within the library.

Which of the following have you personally experienced in your workplace during the pandemic? (thumbnail of graphed results); results are also detailed in the table that appears below this image

Which of the following have you personally experienced in your workplace during the pandemic? N=2,188
Burnout 57.2%
Changed job duties within the library 34.7%
Increased work hours 21.9%
Reduced work hours 21.9%
Taken extended family or sick leave 11.1%
Furloughed 9.0%
Changed roles, i.e. remanded to other municipal department 8.3%
Laid off 4.5%
Other 20.8%

Asked to evaluate how well their library’s policies support staff during the pandemic, worst rated was remote work, with 19% of respondents saying the support they receive is inadequate (72.5% say their library’s remote work policies are adequate or exceptional). By contrast, 87.5% of respondents say their library’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols are either adequate or exceptional, while only 10.5% say their library’s protocols are inadequate. [Q25-chart]

How well do you feel your library’s policies serve to support staff in each of the following areas? (thumbnail of graphed results); results are also detailed in the table that appears below this image

How well do you feel your library’s policies serve to support staff in each of the following areas? (N=2,343) Inadequate support Acceptable level of support Exceptional support N/A
Health and safety protocols for COVID-19 11% 39% 48% 2%
Limited public access 11% 40% 46% 4%
Staggered shifts or increased distancing 13% 42% 37% 8%
Remote work 19% 39% 34% 9%
Staff access to family or sick leave 9% 36% 49% 5%
Caregiver accommodations 14% 35% 30% 21%

Results from this section of the survey are discussed in greater detail in a series of three articles available from Public Libraries Online:


About the Respondents

Based on the respondents who answered the demographic questions:

  • 78.6% of respondents reported they are female (this figure aligns with existing ). 17.6% said they are male, and 1.4% indicated they are non-binary. The remainder preferred not to answer.
  • 70.6% of respondents have a MLS degree or equivalent.
  • About half of respondents have been in the library profession for 10 years or less, and half have been in the profession for more than 10 years.
  • 35% of the respondents reported that their primary role is in administration.

Actions

PLA member leaders and staff are reviewing the data and considering how to strengthen and/or develop new resources to these needs and priorities, including:

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