Project Videonet

Survey Item

California Public Libraries

(42 libraries surveyed; 40 responded fully or partially)

Libraries Outside California

(134 libraries surveyed; 69 responded fully or partially)

Length of time involved with videoconferencing

The majority of libraries have had equipment for 2-3 years, with the newest system just being installed and the oldest systems being in service for 8 years (3 sites)

Most have had equipment for 2-5 years; longest ownership reported (3 libraries) was 8 years

Funding – Equipment Acquisition

The two most-cited sources:

62.5% -- LSTA (including Rural Initiative)

25% -- Other grants or donations

For Details

LSTA or other grants, or through statewide or regional deployment programs funded by state libraries or regional systems

For Details

Funding – Ongoing Operations

In most cases, funded through regular operating budgets

Mostly funded through general operations budgets, but some receive full or partial subsidy as members of  statewide or regional networks

Affiliation with a videoconferencing consortium

Although all are considered members of Project Videonet, only about 10% have formal and/or ongoing collaborative agreements with other libraries

41% belong to statewide videoconferencing consortia; 23% belong to regional consortia, which may also include other institution types

Telecommunications platform

All are ISDN systems, except for San Diego PL which uses a proprietary network (Rosetel)

ISDN – 48%

Internet – 25%

Proprietary network – 21%

Satellite – 15%

Other – 3%

20% of respondents are equipped for multiple means of access

Types of Use (Library Purposes)

Most usage is for accessing LSTA-funded trainings and programs; virtual meetings; and remote interviewing of job candidates.  More than half have used it for activities not funded by LSTA.

Primary usage is for staff training and administrative meetings.  Other uses include employment interviewing, public programs, and virtual classes for patrons

Frequency of Use (Library Purposes)

Times used in past year

0 – 10 times / 89%

11-20 times/   3%

More than 20 times/  8%

Times used in past year:

0- 10 times/ 44%

11 – 20 times/ 15%

More than 20 times/ 41%

Barriers to Use

Major barriers cited were:

Lack of time/interest – 27%

Expense/technical issues – 20 %

Room scheduling issues – 9%

Programs offered not applicable – 8%

Program times not convenient – 8 %

Issue not addressed in survey

Community Use

67% make their equipment available to outside groups or businesses; most charge for their telecom charges plus any applicable room fee.  Only 5 have written use policies.

64% make their equipment available to outside groups or businesses.  Fee structure is all over the map.  10 reported having written policies.   In some consortia, all members have the same policies and fees

Marketing Efforts

Only 13% reported having done any marketing of videconferencing to the community.  Efforts included flyers, website mention, Yellow Pages ad, and listing with commercial brokers of videoconferencing sites

Only 14% report any marketing.  Efforts include publicity in local media, Chamber of Commerce ads, postcards sent to businesses, open houses, brochures, and outreach to area educational institutions without their own equipment.

Assistance Desired

Most cited:

More programs – 19%

Assistance with marketing – 17%

Cost-cutting or underwriting – 17%

Technical troubleshooting – 17%

Application case histories  – 17%

Issue not addressed in survey