In June 2005 the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) conducted a survey of Rhode Island public libraries to determine the usage of and future directions for the Statewide Reference Resource Center at the Providence Public Library. The Providence Public Library (PPL) serves as Rhode Island's Statewide Reference Resource Center (SRRC) with state funding provided via OLIS per Rhode Island General Law 29-6-9. The goal of the program is to provide quality reference services to all Library of Rhode Island (LORI) member libraries and to all residents of Rhode Island.

The full survey report is available as a pdf file [38 pages].

Summary

• Invitations were sent to all public libraries in RI; 41 out of 47 responded, or 87%
• 66% of respondents use the SRRC; 34% do not
• 10% of respondents contact the SRRC more than once a month; 56% use the SRRC once a month or less
• 78% of respondents contact libraries other than the SRRC for reference assistance throughout the year
• 12% of respondents contact other libraries for reference more than once a month; 66% use other libraries for reference once a month or less
• Phone use is the most common way to contact the SRRC, followed distantly by the OLIS subject request form and email
• Most common reference question types are those about art and music, followed closely by the RI Collection and Business
• 68% of respondents refer patrons to the SRRC: 17% make referrals more than once a month, 56% make referrals 2 or 3 times a year or less
• 93% of respondents do not contact PPL professional staff for consultant services
• 78% of respondents or their staff attend the Continuing Education programs offered by PPL through OLIS CE; reference sessions are most popular, though computer software training programs are offered more frequently
• Top priority services: telephone reference (93%), databases (78%), Internet/email reference (68%)
• Lowest priority services: AV materials (59%), Sunday hours (54%), opening during business hours (49%)
• Database access (to PPL resources) and the management of statewide databases was the most commonly requested “other service”

Get the complete survey [pdf, 38 pages]