Frequently Asked Questions ALA/FSU Survey

About the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study survey
The survey is conducted annually by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Institute at Florida State University with funding from ALA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The survey builds on the Public Libraries and the Internet study series conducted since 1994 (see http://www.ii.fsu.edu/plinternet).  The current study is larger in scope than the survey, incorporating site visits and a survey of state librarians (see http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding for additional information regarding the study).                                                                                                            

Survey Details
The survey explores the relationship between technology, public access, and budgeting, plus emerging areas of technology and service such as e-government, electronic resources, training, and gaming.   

A print copy of the survey, along with study cover letter, is mailed to each library director (NOT to the branches, if applicable).  The most recent information available from the National Center for Education Statistics (in this case, 2005) for library name and mailing address information is used. The study team cross-references this information against information provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for grantee libraries. When surveys are returned due to incorrect addresses, correct addresses are sought, the packets re-mailed, and addresses corrected in the project database.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation informs ALA and the Information Institute as to which libraries are eligible to participate in the Opportunity Online program.  Any questions about library selection should be directed to the appropriate representatives at the Foundation.

Although print surveys are mailed to each selected library director, most libraries respond online. The online survey is available throughout the data collection period (September 2 through November 7, 2008).  Libraries can pause and resume completion of the survey, start over, change responses, print copies, and a range of other features throughout the survey timeframe.

General FAQ
Q.        I didn’t get a copy of the survey in the mail. What do I do?
A.        The survey is Web-based, so you can log on at http://OpportunityOnlineSurvey.org and complete the survey.

  1. What is my library “code” number?
  2. Each library has a unique number assigned by the Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS), which governs the national collection of public library data. You can click on the link below the login box to look up your code if you don’t know your number.  Some eligible libraries are new and have temporary ID numbers assigned. Using the temporary ID will allow you access to the survey.

Q:        Why aren’t all my library branches included in the survey?
A.        Only the libraries eligible for the Opportunities Online grant program are required to complete the survey. 

  1. Why are there two sections to the survey?
  2. One set of questions focuses on building-level questions like how many computers does a branch have and what services are offered at that location. The other set of questions focus on finance and administration issues.
  1. What’s the difference between an outlet/branch and a system?

A.        We realize that public libraries in each state are organized differently and that the term “system” can mean something different from state to state.  By system we mean the central authority for the library – that is, the entity that makes budget decisions, applies for E-rate, and makes other management decisions.  We do not use the term “system” to mean regional cooperatives or other forms of federated libraries.

By outlet/branch, we mean a building that is open to the public and provides services to the community (e.g., lends books, offers public access to the Internet and computers, other). For example, the Kingston Public Library in New York has one library, while the Brooklyn Public Library has a central library and many branches. For Kingston Public Library, there is no difference between the “outlet/branch” and the “system.” 

Q.        How can my library best complete all the survey questions?
A.        Each library handles completion of the survey differently.  In smaller libraries, it may be the same person who completes both the services (outlet/branch) and the administrative (system) questions.  In other libraries, particularly those with multiple branches, it may be the technology person who completes the questions about workstations and bandwidth, the branch manager who answers the questions on services offered, and the library director who completes the administrative questions.

The survey is designed in discrete sections to support multiple people completing the survey for a library, allowing each library to determine the best course of action for completing the survey.

Q.        How can I be sure my survey was successfully filed?
A.        After you have completed all the sections of the survey, you will click “submit.” When the survey is successfully submitted, you will receive a message to that effect.

Q.        Can I get a copy of my responses to the survey for my records?
A.        You can print your survey responses from the survey dashboard.  There is a pull-down menu next to the “complete” link that enables you to print a copy of the responses.
Q.        How is this survey information used?
A.        Survey results are combined with findings from the site visits and a survey of state librarians to create a comprehensive report in August of the following year. The study provides valuable information for library directors, policymakers at all levels of government, researchers, funders and the communities served for public libraries. You can find more information related to the study and findings from previous years at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.

Question-specific FAQ

  1. I’m not sure how to break out the different sources of revenue and expenditures for technology because it’s all lumped together in my budget. What should I do?

A.        Detailed budget and expenditure questions by source of revenue and type of technology-related expenditure can be challenging to answer. Libraries that have single operating budgets for all sources of revenue (local, fines/fees, grants, state aid, federal funds) should report those as “local” because they are not discrete sources within the library’s operating budget. 
If the library is able to isolate sources of revenue to specific technology-related expenditures, such as computer hardware or technology staffing, then you are encouraged to report this.  Best estimates are sufficient.

The summary operating budget figures are the easiest to provide as they are reported annually to the state library as part of its annual survey of public libraries.  Respondents should use those figures.  For the next fiscal year figures, libraries should use the budget approved by its governing entity (e.g., library board of trustees, local government, etc.).

Q.        Where should I report my E-rate discount?
A.        Libraries participating in the E-Rate discount program should report those discounts on the line provided (federal), and not include those discounts as part of local funding.

Q.        Where should I report Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding?
A.        The budget questions include a Private Foundation Grants category.  Report Gates grant funding appropriately in this category.

Q.        I don’t know what my “maximum speed of the public access Internet connection” is. What should I do?
A.        Please check with your telecommunications provider and/or Internet Service Provider (ISP) – which can be a vendor (e.g., Verizon), regional library/cooperative, state library, or other source.
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