Community Needs Analysis

Proposal for Leavenworth,

KansasBy Ricky Sirois, Emporia State

University

LV: A Unique Community

But what is the role of

LeavenworthPublic 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, 2006-2008 American Community Survey)

The Two Faces of Leavenworth

The U.S. Army The 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

2nd 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 2nd 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

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

CONSIDERATION

In closing…