Community Needs Analysis Proposal for Leavenworth, Kansas By Ricky Sirois, Emporia State University

LV: A Unique Community

But what is the role of Leavenworth Public Library?

The basis of change What is…  Checkout of information sources for varying needs  Use of technology  In-house programming  Research assistance  Meeting space What is the problem?  Services designed by staff without community input  Potential for comfort level to lead to ignorance of arising issues  Largely generic service/product base

But what should be the role of Leavenworth Public Library?

The Key Data Leavenworth LV County  Population: 34,500 (app.)  54.1% male, 45.9 % female  Average age: 34.9 years  15.7 % Black/African- American  5.9% Latino  30.7% Bachelor’s degrees  $126,000 median home value  App. 49% rentals  $21,646 per capita income  Nearly 6% of families living in poverty  Population: 73,400 (app.)  53% male, 47% female  Average age: 36.3 years  9.1% Black/African-American  3.8% Latino  27.9% Bachelor’s degrees  $171,000 median home value  App. 32.5% rentals  App. $25,000 per capita income  Nearly 10% of families living in poverty (All figures courtesy U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey)

The Two Faces of Leavenworth The U.S. ArmyThe Penitentiary  Fort Leavenworth makes the U.S. Government the area’s largest employer  Oldest Army Post west of the Mississippi River  Large focus on military training  Provides an ever- changing population to LV  Along with three smaller detention centers, makes LV known as “Prison City”, a nickname and reputation used to promote tourism  Has housed famous (and infamous) criminals from past and present  Released convicts provide an ever-changing population to LV

Leavenworth is not Kansas City. Leavenworth is considered part of the Kansas City Metro Area.

The Many Resources of LV and LV County  The Leavenworth Times (newspaper)  Leavenworth Main Street Program  14 Public and Private Schools  The University of St. Mary  7 combined public libraries (of which LV is easily the largest)  Abundant outdoor recreation  5 museums and 2 arts centers  A variety of nearby airports incl. KCI  Highways providing easy access to major travel routes

Populations of note: Transitory, School-age, and Military Effect of the economy Small-town, independent identity

How do we learn more?: Phase 1 Prep time – 2 weeks Survey/pushpin – 3 weeks Collection and assessment of data – 1 month  Push-pin map available for one loan period will provide geographic data about users  Surveys offered to each user over one loan period will provide detail about frequency of use, reasons for use, and library attitudes  Assessment of surveys will provide a look at the populations that are using LPL and why they use it. This will provide valuable information about what is going well, and about which groups are not using the library

How do we learn more?: Phase 2 Prep time – 2 weeks 2 nd surveys – 3 weeks Analysis of overall data/new proposals – 2 months  Groups of non-users identified in Phase 1, along with the general non-user population, will be targeted in the 2 nd round of surveys.  Questions will ask about missing services, availability (time/travel), attitudes, and other information sources.  These surveys will take place over the span of one loan period in targeted areas and in places with high foot traffic.  Professional staff and trained assistants will conduct the surveys, rotating locations each day of survey administration.

Personnel and Budget  By keeping a basic strategy, all elements of data collection and administration can be accomplished by existing professional staff – including writing of surveys and analysis of results. Additional staffing may be required for regular library services during administration.  Budget: Office supplies and copies: $500 Increased pay for coverage during survey administration (Phase 1): 67 hours of coverage/week for 3 weeks: $2,000 Increased pay for coverage during survey administration (Phase 2): 40 hours of coverage/week for 3 weeks for 3 employees: $3,600

Total estimated time: 6 months Total estimated budget: $6,100 Personnel changes limited to temporary adjustments or hires for library coverage

In closing…