1. Redwood City Public Library The “Why I Choose Not to Use the Library” Project Redwood City Public Library Jenny Davis Redwood City, CA Specialist Librarian 650 780 7046 jdavis@redwoodcity.org

2. Project Purpose What keeps people from using our libraries and why?What keeps people from using our libraries and why? What can we do to enhance our services?What can we do to enhance our services?

3. Why this project? To Ask What We Can Do Better And Respond to what our community tells us

4. How? Community outreach Community events Online Survey

5. The numbers 6 Community events 25 Community groups 498 people online 100 in person

6. Projected Achieved Attend 4 events Survey 200 community members Craft a new services plan Attended 6 events Surveyed 600 community members Craft a new services plan

7. What we found The top three reasons our customers don’t use the library –Too busy, don’t have time –Use the internet instead –Other – mainly parking fees

8. What we found Three most important improvements customers would like to see – Free Parking –Expanded collection of books –Café in the library

9. What we loved to hear! “No changes are needed to get me to come” “I tend to forget that the library has more to offer beyond what I've used” “Libraries are critical to a communities success.” “I LOVE IT” “It’s just great knowing a library is there”

10. What they said Post the New York Times Best Seller ListsPost the New York Times Best Seller Lists Computer classes for English speakersComputer classes for English speakers “Lose the hold fee”“Lose the hold fee” “I buy my books”“I buy my books” Too long a wait for new best-sellersToo long a wait for new best-sellers I just don't read books anymoreI just don't read books anymore I strongly believe the Library should be just that -- a Library. Not a Community Center or a Baby sitting center for High School StudentsI strongly believe the Library should be just that -- a Library. Not a Community Center or a Baby sitting center for High School Students Ability to return books to locations other than the library (RCSD schools, Sequoia Station, post offices (outside drop off bin)Ability to return books to locations other than the library (RCSD schools, Sequoia Station, post offices (outside drop off bin)

11. How we WILL respond Service responses Enhance online services Enhance downloadable services Free parking days? Barrier

12. How we HAVE responded Bestsellers New Online services

13. What next? Pursue and promote online services for people “that don’t have time”Pursue and promote online services for people “that don’t have time” –Music downloads –Language learning –Ebooks and audiobooks Pursue new collection ideasPursue new collection ideas Working with the city on free parking daysWorking with the city on free parking days

14. The Project Budget This grant funded 6 additional days for staff to attend events in the communityThis grant funded 6 additional days for staff to attend events in the community Provided hours to a project assistantProvided hours to a project assistant Paid for supplies and materials for off-site library events.Paid for supplies and materials for off-site library events.

15. Outcome