Project Videonet
Survey of Videoconferencing Use Among U.S. Public Libraries
Detailed Findings – California Libraries
NOTE: The total number of responses per question is provided in each table below. Forty libraries responded to the survey, out of 42 surveyed. Some questions were not answered by all libraries, resulting in fewer than 40 total responses for those questions. Some questions had multiple responses (resulting in more than 40 total responses for those questions).
FUNDING
QUESTION #1
| HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR VIDEOCONFERENCING EQUIPMENT? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| 1 year |
10% (4 out of 40) |
| 2 years |
37.5% (15 out of 40) |
| 3 years |
20% (8 out of 40) |
| 4 years |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| 5 years |
12.5% (5 out of 40) |
| 8 years |
7.5% (3 out of 40) |
| Other* |
7.5% (3 out of 40) |
Other responses: New – just installing (1 library); 7 years (1 library); no response – don’t know (1 library)
QUESTION #2
| HOW DID YOU FUND THE PURCHASE OF YOUR VIDEOCONFERENCING EQUIPMENT? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| LSTA – Rural Initiative |
40% (16 out of 40) |
| LSTA - Other |
22.5% (9 out of 40) |
| Other grants and donations (including Pacific Bell’s Education First, Clean Air, IMLS) |
25% (10 out of 40) |
| Other (City Capital Building Project, General Operating Funds, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) |
7.5% (3 out of 40) |
| Don’t own, but have standing agreement to use equipment at another agency |
5% (2 out of 40) |
QUESTION #3
| HOW DO YOU FUND ONGOING OPERATIONS? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 39 |
| County/General Operations Budget/Regular Library Budget |
77% (30 out of 39) |
| Profits from facility rental, etc. |
13% (5 out of 39) |
| Other (support from regional system; combination of usage fees + operating budget) |
10% (4 out of 39) |
QUESTION #4
| DO YOU HAVE A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
30% (12 out of 40) |
| No |
52.5% (21 out of 40) |
| Don’t Know |
17.5% (7 out of 40) |
QUESTION #5
| DID YOU KNOW LOW COST LONG VIDEOCONFERENCING LONG DISTANCE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE? * |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
70% (28 out of 40) |
| No |
27.5% (11 out of 40) |
| No response |
2.5% (1 out of 40) |
* through the California State Association of County’s agreement with Sprint
QUESTION #6
| DID YOU KNOW FREE TROUBLESHOOTING (for chronic recurring problems) IS AVAILABLE TO RURAL LIBRARIES?* |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
42.5% (17 out of 40) |
| No |
37.5% (15 out of 40) |
| Not Applicable |
20% (8 out of 40) |
USE FOR LIBRARY PURPOSES
QUESTION #7
| FOR WHAT PURPOSE (S) DID YOU OBTAIN VIDEOCONFERENCING? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 41 |
| Staff Programs, Staff Development, Meetings, other Training, Distance Education |
78% (32 out of 41) |
| Other* |
22.5% (9 out of 41) |
*Other reasons cited: Video Authors Visits (2 responses); Source of Revenue (2 responses); Reduce Commuting (1 response); Virtual University (1 response); Humanities Program (1 response); Business Use (1 response); No Purpose (1 response)
QUESTION #8
| HAVE YOU ACTUALLY USED YOUR EQUIPMENT FOR THE PURPOSES STATED IN QUESTION #7? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
90% (36 out of 40) |
| No |
10% (4 out of 40) |
QUESTION #9
| FOR WHAT PURPOSE, IF ANY, HAVE YOU USED YOUR EQUIPMENT THAT YOU DID NOT ENVISION ORIGINALLY? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| No other purpose |
40% (16 out of 40) |
| No response |
20% (8 out of 40) |
| Revenue Generator |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| Interviewing Job Candidates |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| Public Programs |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| Other* |
25% (10 out of 40) |
*Other responses (1 each): Infopeople training; College courses; State Library meetings; Private Party meeting; Legal depositions; Host another library for training; Between two high schools; School Speech Therapist used it to avoid winter travel; Thought we’d use it more; Don’t have the equipment installed yet
QUESTION #10
| HOW DOES THE AMOUNT OF USAGE COMPARE TO WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY IMAGINED? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| More use |
2.5% (1 out of 40) |
| Less use |
75% (30 out of 40) |
| About the same |
17.5% (7 out of 40) |
| No response |
5% (2 out of 40) |
QUESTION #11
| WHAT ISSUES HAVE KEPT YOU FROM PARTICIPATING IN MORE OF THE LSTA-FUNDED PROGRAMS? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 64 |
| Lack of time or staff interest |
27% (17 out of 64) |
| Expense/technical problems |
20% (13 out of 64) |
| Scheduling/Facility not available |
9% (6 out of 64) |
| Programs not applicable to our library |
8% (5 out of 64) |
| Program times not convenient |
8% (5 out of 64) |
| Lack of public interest |
8% (5 out of 64) |
| Staff development available via webcast (no usage charge) |
5% (3 out of 64) |
| Equipment Compatibility/Broadcast Quality |
3% (2 out of 64) |
| Public prefers on-site speakers/programs |
3% (2 out of 64) |
| Other* |
9% (6 out of 64) |
*Other responses (1 each): Not a priority with the librarian; No demand for use as a host site; Interested in Video Author Visits only; No staff training on the equipment/don’t know if our equipment works (NOTE: follow up is being done to rectify this); New library – we don’t have time for videoconferencing; The system belongs to another agency
QUESTION #12
| HOW DOES YOUR LIBRARY USE VIDEOCONFERENCING OTHER THAN TO ACCESS LSTA FUNDED TRAININGS AND PROGRAMS? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 48 |
| Not Applicable or No Response |
33% (16 out of 48) |
| Internal library meetings, staff meetings with other branches or county departments |
21% (10 out of 48) |
| Outside business use for training/meetings |
6% (3 out of 48) |
| Employee interviews |
6% (3 out of 48) |
| Distance learning and other training/literacy programs (including US Patent and Trademark Office training and Reading Across America) |
6% (3 out of 48) |
| Revenue source, supplements operations budget |
4% (2 out of 48) |
| Virtual Field trips (Zoos, Museums) |
4% (2 out of 48) |
| Equipment not used or don’t know if it works |
4% (2 out of 48) |
| Other* |
15% (7 out of 48) |
*Other responses (1 each): Promotion of the library’s tech capabilities; alternate viewing site for a large civic forum; offered to others; county used it to meet with a remote vendor; hosting county offices of ed for teacher certification process; videoconference with sister city in Great Britain; hosting AARP and other non-profits
QUESTION #13
| ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES WAS THE EQUIPMENT USED IN THE LAST YEAR FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN ACCESSING LSTA-FUNDED PROGRAMS? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| 1 time |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| 2 times |
17.5% (7 out of 40) |
| 3 times |
7.5 % (3 out of 40) |
| 6 times |
7.5 % (3 out of 40) |
| 10 times |
5% (2 out of 40) |
| Zero (0) |
32.5% (13 out of 40) |
| Not applicable |
10% (4 out of 40) |
| Other* |
15% (6 out of 40) |
*Other responses (1 each): 4 times; 7 times; 20+ times; 25 times; 2 times per month; 50 times
QUESTION #14
| HOW ARE THE NON-LSTA EVENTS EVALUATED? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 36 |
| No formal evaluation |
22% (8 out of 36) |
| Comments from users |
17% (6 out of 36) |
| Evaluation form |
6% (2 out of 36) |
| Not applicable |
47% (17 out of 36) |
| Other* |
9% (3 out of 36) |
*Other responses (1 each): Case by case; Attendance numbers; Staff comments
COMMUNITY USE
QUESTION #15
| DO YOU MAKE THE VIDEOCONFERENCING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR USE BY COMMUNITY GROUPS AND BUSINESSES? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
67.5% (27 out of 40) |
| No |
30% (12 out of 40) |
| Don’t Know |
2.5% (1 out of 40) |
QUESTION #16
| DESCRIBE YOUR USAGE POLICY AND FEES FOR USE BY OUTSIDE GROUPS |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 34 |
| Custom policy |
15% (5 out of 34) – See Note 1 |
| Telecom charges only; no written policy |
15% (5 out of 34) |
| Being developed |
6% (2 out of 34) |
| Not applicable or None |
44% (15 out of 34) – See Note 2 |
| Other* |
21% (7 out of 34) |
NOTE 1: Ventura, Kern County (Wanda Kirk), Humboldt, Plumas and Sunnyvale all have specific written policies. They have sent their policies. Sunnyvale’s policy is located at www.sci3.com/videocnf.html
NOTE 2: Included comments that a policy might conflict with strict meeting room policies (also inhibits publicizing equipment) and libraries are waiting for the results of the survey before setting their own policy
*Other responses:
- Room rental charges only
- ISDN charges plus a $30 set up fee
- For-profit groups charged room rental charges plus all telecom costs
- Business pays room charge plus $15 per hour (any increase must be approved by Board of Supervisors)
- Room charge, $25 set up fee plus $100 per hour if site is dialed; $150 per hour if dialing out
- City agencies can use at “cost”; library organizations are charged $120 per hour plus room rental charges
- $250 deposit is required plus $100 per hour (includes room, videoconferencing equipment and telecom charges)
QUESTION #17
| IF YOU PROACTIVELY MARKET OR PROMOTE YOUR VIDEOCONFERENCING CAPABILITIES, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EFFORTS |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 39 |
| Haven’t done any marketing |
18% (7 out of 39) |
| Specific Promotional or Marketing Efforts |
8% (3 out of 39) – See Note 3 |
| Not promoting now |
5% (2 out of 39) – See Note 4 |
| Not applicable or No answer |
69% (27 out of 39) |
NOTE 3: Specific Promotional or Marketing Efforts:
- Website, Yellow Pages ad, E-Zine that actively markets videoconferencing
- Website, brochure made available to Chamber of Commerce and area hotels, Affinity Video Net, Inc (provides referrals)
- Website, working on a brochure
NOTE 4: In the past, promoted capability and availability on website, did lots of training and sent emails so public are (or should be) aware
QUESTION #18
| WHAT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING CAPABILITY? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 39 |
| Low involvement, but those who have attended appreciate it |
8% (3 out of 39) |
| Programs have been well received |
5% (2 out of 39) |
| Despite efforts, the community remains unaware |
5% (2 out of 39) |
| Why isn’t it cheaper? |
5% (2 out of 39) |
| Not applicable |
69% (27 out of 39) |
| Other* |
7.5% (3 out of 39) |
*Other responses: County departments like it so well, they’re buying their own equipment; Received positive comments when it was first installed, but no one has used it; Committees and Boards won’t change their locations to use videoconferencing
PROJECT VIDEONET
QUESTION #19
| WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW OR NEED ASSISTANCE WITH REGARDING VIDEOCONFERENCING? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 36 |
| Training and other program availability (including non-LSTA programs) |
19% (7 out of 36) |
| How to market to staff and community |
17% (6 out of 36) – See Note 5 |
| Funding |
17% (6 out of 36) – See Note 6 |
| Troubleshooting |
17% (6 out of 36) – See Note 7 |
| What are other libraries doing? |
17% (6 out of 36) – See Note 8 |
| Training on equipment; practice using it |
5% (2 out of 36) – See Note 7 |
| Enough lead time/notice to plan to staff programs |
3% (1 out of 36) |
| Common Q & A website |
3% (1 out of 36) |
| Don’t know what Project Videonet is! |
3% (1 out of 36) |
NOTE 5 – Need generic brochure, promotional materials, how to design/promote programs, materials promoting events
NOTE 6 – More options, funding for long distance, reduce cost to use
NOTE 7 – Need tips or mini guides (so we don’t have to go through the User Manual!), assistance with compatibility issues and general help (SPECIAL NOTE: these sites are attending Videoconferencing Fundamentals training and/or are being contacted regarding their specific site issues for resolution)
NOTE 8 – How do other libraries support it, what do they charge, how do they staff? What are examples of policies for community use? Need to make videoconferencing part of public programming plans to increase use.
QUESTION #20
| HOW DO YOU WANT OR NEED INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO YOU? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 66 |
| |
48% (32 out of 66) |
| |
15% (10 out of 66) |
| Website |
15% (10 out of 66) |
| Workshop at CLA |
14% (9 out of 66) |
| In Person Visits |
8% (5 out of 66) |
QUESTION #21
| WHAT SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS DO YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN REGARDING VIDEOCONFERNECING IF PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION (AS DESCRIBED IN QUESTION 19)? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 22 |
| More/better attended programs (by community members and schools) |
45% (10 out of 22) |
| More effective use and use equipment on a regular basis |
18% (4 out of 22) |
| Staff would participate in programs and workshops; enabling more communication between branches, departments, etc. |
14% (3 out of 22) |
| Confidence in conducting a trouble free videoconference (and better troubleshooting when needed) |
9% (2 out of 22) |
| Create a good policy, cost recovery procedures and share widely |
9% (2 out of 22) |
| Get others interested in learning to use videoconferencing so there’s more staff support at the library |
4% (1 out of 22) |
NOTE 9 – One library suggested a Directory of Public Programs could be developed for both California and national programs along with information on how to participate in them. Listings/categories could include Young Adult, Children, Adults and also be included by subject area.
QUESTION #22
| MAY WE LIST YOU AS A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LIBRARY VIDEOCONFERENCING NETWORK? |
% RESPONSE – (number included in %) Total Responses = 40 |
| Yes |
92.5% (37 out of 40) |
| No |
7.5% (3 out of 40) – See Note 10 |
NOTE 10 – Colusa (equipment located at COE); Wanda Kirk (equipment not working); Mission Viejo (equipment not working)
This research project is a component of Project Videonet, which is working to build a framework for cooperation among the more than 40 California public libraries equipped with interactive videoconferencing. Project Videonet is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information about Project Videonet, contact project manager Dan Theobald of i2i Communications at 415-431-0329 or via email at dtheobald@i2icom.com.
