pages: LibraryBoard/2011-12-14.pdf, 4
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LibraryBoard | 2011-12-14 | 4 | Page 4 of 7 Minutes of the Alameda Free Library Board Meeting December 14, 2011 4. Provide library visitors with additional computers at the neighborhood libraries. Both neighborhood libraries increased the number of computer work stations for children and adults in the remodel process. However staff observation at the Bay Farm Island Library is not the need for more computer workstations but more seating/study tables. Rarely, if ever, are all the desktop workstations in use. Many customers bring in their own laptops and are seeking table and chairs to use with the wireless. Staff is currently considering decreasing the number of public computers in favor of offering study table space. Discussion: Board Member Hartigan requested further information on this item. Director Chisaki explained that staff is proposing four computers be removed and placed in reserve. This would allow an open table for patrons visiting with their own laptops. Board Member Hartigan clarified that there would still be two computers available with the Library catalog. GOAL 7: ALAEMEDANS WILL BE ABLE TO MORE EASILY AND EFFECTIVELY CONNECT TO THE ONLINE WORLD. Objective 1: Use of databases will increase by 10% each year. There has been a decrease of about 25% in usage. In 2009-10 the average numbers of searches were 30,069; decreasing to 22,974 in 2010-11; and 10,327 for the first four months in 2011-12. This decrease may be attributed to the change in web page format. The databases are more difficult to locate as a user needs to know to look for "eResources" in the navigation bar to be directed to a page with other digital content items, and then click on "databases" to find the desired database. The direct link to databases for children and teens was removed and all databases were lumped together in alphabetical format rather than user group. Discussion: Director Chisaki described a mobile application coming soon which will allow users to search from their cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. Library patrons will be able to access their account, renew their books, download e-books, get into databases without having to reauthenticate each time, because they will have done so with the application, and we hope that will help with our database use because it will be right there at their fingertips. Objective 2: Each year, the number of unique visitors to the library portal web pages will increase by 10%. The Library has little data on the number of unique visitors. Aggregate statistics are available for about the past 11 months (last six months of FY10-11 and the first five months of FY11-12). According to Supervising Librarian David Hall, the bounce rate for the library web site is high at +60%. This is not a satisfactory bounce rate even if some of the traffic is not completely leaving the library but going to another URL for the library's web catalog. This could be that the library web site does not have the information desired by the user or the information is there but is not easy to locate. Web page redesign and marketing of the web page may help increase customer usage and lower the bounce rate. Objective 3: The majority of Alameda residents will express in a community survey customer satisfaction with library technology. We have not conducted a satisfaction survey. | LibraryBoard/2011-12-14.pdf |