Member Survey: What did the WebJunction community tell us?
In March 2009 we broadcast a survey that was open to all WebJunction members and others who have used or visited WebJunction. The questions were designed to find out how often you use WebJunction, what do you do during a typical visit, and what did you accomplished as a result. We also asked how satisfied you are with your experiences with WebJunction, what you find of most and least value, and what you’d like to see in the future. Finally, we wanted to get a sense of how your use of online tools in your work and personal life: which ones, how often, and for what purpose.
Who are you?
We received nearly 1200 responses to the survey. All 50 U.S. states, Canada, and 15 other countries were represented. Indiana and Ohio provided the most participants of all states, with more than one hundred each. Two-thirds of respondents work in public libraries, and 54% in service areas of fewer than 25,000 people. A myriad of staff roles were represented, from “I am the only one here” to “statistics librarian” to “manager with M.S. in Dairy Science.” But in the biggest buckets are directors or assistant directors, library assistants or associates, and reference librarians.
How do you use WebJunction?
One-third (32%) of you report visiting WebJunction at least weekly. Another 36% visit monthly. Your primary activities while there appear to be to enroll in courses and read articles and other content—activities that you would strongly recommend to colleagues and staff. Many of you have updated your personal profile page and attended a webinar. About half of you use the discussion boards, and about one-third of you have used your personalized MyWebJunction page, joined a group, or connected with other members. Very few of you have posted a document to WebJunction.
A majority of you reported that your use of WebJunction has helped you improve services to your patrons, learn about new technology, and increase your skills with computer applications. A significant number of you also report that the resources have improved how you manage your library and staff training.
How satisfied are you with WebJunction?
80% of you told us you were very or somewhat satisfied with your overall experience on WebJunction. About three-quarters (74%) find the site easy to navigate and the overall design satisfactory (79%).
We got lots of responses to our open-ended question asking what you value most about WebJunction. After reviewing all of your input, we found that six areas came up most frequently. We then looked at your other feedback about what you would like to see improved, and in doing so, were able to see what our priorities are for improving our members’ experience on WebJunction.
What you value most about WebJunction:
1. It is accessible, available, and affordable. “It’s always available [when] you need it;” for “all levels of staff;” serves “both large and small libraries;” “it’s free”
Your Suggestion:
* Increase the awareness of what WebJunction has and does. “I had no idea!” “You need to advertise more!” “Keep me updated”
2. You can connect with and learn from peers:
“connect libraries of all sizes;” “communicate with colleagues, peers, other librarians;” “being able to learn from others and share ideas;” “networking;” “learn from other libraries experiences, ideas;” “share ideas”
Your Suggestions:
* More/better alerts to new content, discussions posts, and group activity
* More participation from community, especially on discussion boards
* Streamline the MyWebJunction page (updates stream)
* Improved ways to find and contact other members
3. It’s a rich central information hub:
“central information resource;” “one-stop shopping” for different types of training and support; “for everyone;” “I come here to keep my skills up-to-date;”
Your Suggestions:
* Improve organization of site. Streamline content and text on page so not “cluttered.” Curb feeling of information overload
* Improve movement between WJ Central and affiliated WebJunction communities
4. Some content is particularly helpful:
* technology, computer support
* TechAtlas/inventory tools/tech planning
* sample policies from other libraries
* how-to’s, tutorials
* everyday operations of library, technical services, patron services
* managing a library
* state-specific content
Your Suggestions:
* More basic tech skills
* More advanced technology topics
* Update old tech content
* More content relevant to school, academic, prison, small/rural libraries
5. Wow, the Course Catalog! Specific things about courses you like are
* Courses paid for by your state
* Online courses means convenience. “I can do them right at my desk”
* Self-paced courses means convenience: “I can do it on my own time at my own pace”
* Variety of subjects
* Getting continuing education or certification credit
* Computer and Technology subjects
* Library-specific subjects
* LE@D courses
Your Suggestions:
* Improve course enrollment and launch
* More sponsored courses,
* More basic computer skills,
* More advanced IT/tech courses,
* Improve low-quality courses, and update old courses
6. You like webinars, because they are free, relevant, high-quality, short
Your Suggestions:
* Have repeats
* Provide more advanced notice of upcoming webinars
We have taken these suggestions to heart and are formulating action plans for how best to address your suggestions. You will be seeing the results of this work both immediately and throughout the coming months—on the site, in our events programs, and in our member communications. Look for improvements to site navigation, the member center and help areas, the homepage.
Meanwhile, we’d like to offer some suggestions for how you can maximize the value you get from WebJunction:
1. Sign up for Crossroads, our monthly e-newsletter. This is essential reading to keep informed up upcoming events and programming happening on WebJunction.
2. Introduce yourself to the community. Add an avatar to your profile, and fill out the About Me section there as well. Adjust your privacy settings to what you are comfortable with.
3. Bookmark the Hot Topics page. We update this monthly to show new and popular content—including courses, discussions, articles, groups, webinars.
4. If you are signing up for courses and they are free, send a thank-you note to your state library or library organization, as they have paid for them on your behalf.
5. Post content to the site. Just as you love to learn from the experience of others, let them learn from you. We guarantee that there is something that you know that someone else does not. You can post to a discussion thread, submit a document, all in a matter of minutes.
Additional Findings
We also asked about your use of online tools in general, and how you tackle a problem at work. Read this short report about your online activities, and see a summary of your problem-solving techniques in this document.
