Ruth Faulkner Library Snapshot Report 2023

Background

Ruth Faulkner Library is situated in Belmont Hub which also incorporates the Belmont Museum, making it a place for the community to access a range of beneficial services all in one location. Alongside its physical and digital book collection, the library also runs a wide variety of special events and pop-up workshops for all ages to complement its regular library programming.

Public Libraries Evaluation Network Project

Ruth Faulkner Library has participated in Culture Counts' Public Libraries Evaluation Network (PLEN) since 2019. PLEN is a nationwide initiative designed to better understand and illustrate the vital outcomes generated by libraries. Libraries that partake in the network use Culture Counts to survey public users of the library. Feedback is collected on library use, performance, personal and community outcomes from public users of the library.

Snapshot Report

This report is a standardised Online Insights Report using data collected in 2023 by Ruth Faulkner Library via the Library Use and Outcomes Survey template. This free report is available to all PLEN participants once annually to help demonstrate to community, internal and external stakeholders the important outcomes that libraries generate. More comprehensive reporting including the results of event and program evaluations can be commissioned from Culture Counts.

Evaluation Methodology

Libraries participating in PLEN distribute a Library Use and Outcomes survey to their membership database and library users throughout the year via a range of methods, including emailing members, QR codes or tablets in the library, or interviews with library staff. The survey asks library users questions regarding; library awareness, learning, and application; outcomes; open text questions; and user demographics. This is a PLEN methodology and the resulting data aligns with the project's big dataset.

Outcome Measures

The Library Use and Outcomes survey contains a range of ‘dimension’ questions, asking members of the public about their experience at Ruth Faulkner Library. These dimensions have been developed and tested in collaboration with industry, practitioners, and academics to measure the impact and value of library services, facilities and programs.

Dimensions used in the Library Use and Outcomes survey also align with six ALIA and APLA outcome areas to ensure that all data collected can be clearly reported against the achievement of important sector objectives, and build on significant research carried out in Australia and internationally.

Community Profile

Demographics

Respondents completing the Library Use and Outcomes survey were asked a selection of demographic questions to help the library learn their member and visitor characteristics. This also enables results to be filtered by demographic to see how different groups use the library and their programs. Respondents were asked to provide their age, gender, postcode and identity.

The following charts show the proportion of Library Use and Outcomes survey responses captured for each of the age, gender, and identity demographic questions.

Location and Postcode

Library Use and Outcomes survey respondents were also asked to provide their current postcode. This data identifies the geographic sample of people who responded to the survey and use the library. It enables data to be matched to the wider population and responses to be filtered to understand differences in demographics.

The following charts show the proportion of survey responses captured for respondents' identified living location across the top ten postcodes provided.

Membership

Respondents were asked if they were a member of the Ruth Faulkner Library network. This question identifies the potential for membership base growth, and also enables analysis into how membership influences library use and outcomes.

Library Use

Respondents to the Library Use and Outcomes survey were asked to indicate the last time that they accessed the library services, and which services they used. This provides information about frequency of use and customer loyalty.

Library Outcomes

Outcome Averages

Survey respondents moved a slider to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the included dimension statements in relation to their library use. The following charts contain the response data for 'public' responses, showing the average result for each dimension.

The Culture Counts platform provides various methods to capture survey responses at a minimal marginal cost. Achieving larger samples enables libraries to be confident that the average results recorded by survey respondents are representative of the opinions of their wider user base. The margin of error chart below shows the expected differences for the associated dimension results calculated at a 95% confidence level. Margins of error under 5% are considered reasonable representations of the opinion of the population.

Outcomes Agreement

Culture Counts uses a slider input to measure responses for dimension statements as part of the evaluation methodology. This method also provides the capability to understand response results within a typical five-point agree-to-disagree format.

The following chart contains the response data for public responses and shows the percentage of people that agreed or disagreed with each of the statements, using a five-point ordinal Likert scale.

Dimensions by ALIA Outcome Area

Outcome dimension statements are aligned with the six ALIA and APLA outcome areas below. This alignment categorises dimensions based on their area of focus. For example:

Stronger and Creative Communities (SACC) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to provide a safe and inclusive forum, support creative expression, and strengthen communities.

Personal Development and Wellbeing (PDAW) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to provide access to information, knowledge and skills development that contribute to personal growth and greater quality of life.

Literacy and Lifelong Learning (LALL) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to develop youth and adult literacy and provide skills and strategies for lifelong learning.

Community Engagement (CE) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to provide spaces and programs that bring people together, encouraging connection and supporting participation in community life.

Digital Inclusion (DI) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to provide access, skills and confidence in using digital technologies, ensuring all communities can connect with others and important online services.

Economic and Workforce Development (EAWD) Represents dimensions that reflect the ability of libraries to support improved employment and productivity outcomes.

The charts below show Ruth Faulkner Library's Library Use and Outcomes dimension results grouped by ALIA outcome area.

Awareness, Learning, Application and Confidence

Library Use and Outcomes survey respondents were asked whether they are aware of various library resources and services, and whether the library helps them to learn, apply learnings and gain confidence across these service areas. These four stages are expected to be sequential, with library users initially gaining awareness, followed by learning something new, application of learnings and increased confidence.

Comparison & Benchmarks

Demographic Breakdowns

Respondents were asked to provide their age and gender as part of the survey. This data enables results to be filtered to understand any differences that exist because of demography.

The following charts highlight a selection of results based on the gender that respondents identified with as well as by age cohort. Dimensions are also grouped by ALIA outcome area.

PLEN Benchmarks

Libraries that take part in the PLEN project can access benchmark evaluation results from all participating libraries. Benchmarks give context to libraries, to help them understand how their impact compares with the average from the group, and to set targets for achieving improvements to their outcome results that will lift them above the network average.

The chart below shows the average dimension results achieved for Ruth Faulkner Library (the orange dot), compared to the benchmark interquartile range of other libraries in the PLEN program (the grey bar). Results that sit within the range are to be considered a ‘benchmark’ result, with anything above the range considered to be exceptional.