Public Library Survey (Annual Report) is open!

I know that you will all be delighted to hear that the 2024 survey is now open!

Those of you who are new to the process may find it helpful to have a bit of background explaining what this is all about:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency established in support of libraries, collects public library data nationally every year. As part of this process, the IMLS requires the NH State Library to collect the same data from all public libraries in NH that is being collected in every other state. They use this data to better understand your programs and services, and to see how our libraries compare to those in other states. Once the data has been entered, we at the state library, compile it and make it available to you so that you may use it to see how your numbers compare with those from similar libraries, articulate your value, and help to tell the story of the importance of your library to your community. The data from past years may be found on our website: https://www.nhsl.dncr.nh.gov/librarians/library-statistics

Questions you may be asking:

1. How do I get access to the survey questions?
-Go to nh.countingopinions.com  
-You will find your username and password in the email from Counting Opinions that you will receive today. Be aware that if you have saved it, it hasn’t changed from last year.

2. How much time do I have?
-This year's survey, covering the data from 2024, will be open for responses until Wednesday, April 30. That means you have 13 weeks and 3 days to complete the questions.

3. What is different this year?
-Libraries will no longer need to report the following numbers:
•    The number of website visits for the year made to your library’s website.
•    The number of eBooks, eAudio, eVideo, or eSerials held by your library, whether purchased directly by your library or through the state. (The use of these categories of eContent will still be reported.)
•    You’ll no longer report the usage counts for all database and learning platforms.  
-Questions have been revised to a series of Yes/No items about the eResources that libraries provide.

4. What help can I get to complete the survey?
Lots!  I am here to help you in a number of different ways, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at 603-271-2060 or jennifer.m.finch@dncr.nh.gov.

Here are some things to help you get started:
            
-I will be offering a general overview of how to complete the survey on Zoom for anyone who would like more information. Stay tuned for dates and times of those Zoom meetings!

-For a paper copy of the survey that you can print out and work on before entering the numbers online, once you login to  nh.countingopinions.com and click on the "Download the Annual Report Worksheet" link at the bottom of the page.
-For instructions on how to complete each section of the survey go to the FY 2024 Annual Report Guide.
-Beginning next week, look for an email [or blog post] each week with tips on how to complete two sections of questions. If you decide to follow along with me on those, your survey will be finished by the end of March.

-Once you get started, you may find that you have a few questions that you want some help with. I will be offering individual Zoom appointments to help get you over the bumpy parts.

-If you are in a Co-op or other library group that would like to get an overview of the survey either in person, or on Zoom, let me know and we can set that up.

By the end of the day today [Monday, January 27], an email will be sent to each library director from CountingOpinions.com including your username and password and the link to the portal login. Be aware that if you have done this in the past, your username and password are still the same.

Thank you for working with me to complete this process. The New Hampshire libraries have done a great job on the survey in past years and I’m sure this year will be no exception.

Let me know how I can help.
- Jen

Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library
N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
20 Park St.
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2060
Jennifer.M.Finch@dncr.nh.gov
dncr.nh.gov