DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE LIBRARY: REGAINING RELEVANCY TO THE COMMUNITY

Courtney Marshall LIS 512: Community Analysis

DAVIS MONTHAN BACKGROUND 7,087 military personnel, 24% live on

base 8,581 dependents, 11% live on base] 2,500 civilian employees 18,000 military retirees live in and

around Tucson.

Numbers taken from the 2011 Davis-Monthan Economic Impact Analysis

METHODOLOGY

Survey Interviews with library staff Circulation statistics Library Observation Informal interviews with base residents Literature review

CIRCULATION STATISTICSMaterial Type 2009 2010Adult Fiction 3,219 2,609Adult Non-Fiction 6,254 6,080Teen Collection 326 694Children’s Fiction 2,185 2,051Music CDs 1,695 1,079Test Prep 1,573 1,539Periodicals 861 5,313Audio books 1,619 1,840Total Circulation 71,393 68,949

SURVEYhttps://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/summary/cmarsh81/134439

Included questions about demographics, library use/non-use, satisfaction with library collections and programs, third places, and improvements which could be implemented to make the library more relevant.

SURVEY DEMOGRAPHICS 61% of respondents were male, 39%

female 15% between the ages of 21 and 24,

61% between 25 and 34, 23% between 34 and 44.

15% live in the dorms, 46% live in on-base housing, 39% live off base

100% have a computer in the home

LIBRARY USE

23%

31%

46%More than once a weekA few times a monthA few times a yearNever

REASONS FOR USING THE LIBRARY

Utilize the adult fiction/non-fiction collection (2) Utilize the children’s fiction/non-fiction

collection (3) Attend children’s programming (1) Use the computer lab (3) Quiet place to read/study (2)

SATISFACTION WITH THE LIBRARY – COLLECTION

Adult

Book

Collect

ion

Childre

n's Bo

ok Coll

ection

Teen

Book

Collect

ion

AV Coll

ection

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

SatisfiedNeutralDissatisfiedN/A

SATISFACTION WITH THE LIBRARY – PROGRAMS

Book Discus-

sion Groups

Adult Programs

Teen Programs

Children's Programs

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

SatisfiedNeutralDissatisfiedN/A

DESIRED PROGRAMS

Program# of responses

Gaming at the library (board, card, video or role-playing) 4

Genre specific book clubs (mystery, sci-fi, biography) 4

Hobby groups (knitting/crochet, writing circles) 5Family story times 6Computer classes 2Open mic type events 2Presentations regarding base services 1

SATISFACTION WITH THE LIBRARY – BUILDING AND STAFF

Compu

ter La

b

Librar

y Hou

rs

Physi

cal Com

fort

Frien

dline

ss of

Staff

Know

ledge

of St

aff0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

SatisfiedNeutralDissatisfiedUnsure/Not Appli-cable

THIRD PLACES

THIRD PLACES AND THE LIBRARY

8%

38%54%

Yes, On Base

COMMUNITY PRIORITIESArea of Improvement # of responsesAdult book collection 8Children's book collection 5Children's programming 5Teen book collection 3Improving the computer labs 3Improving the library website 2Increased library hours 2Adult programming 1Teen programming 1Increasing periodical subscriptions 1Increased database subscriptions 1Improved study aids (write-in) 1

RECOMMENDATIONS Expand the teen collection and remove

non-teen materials to make a more welcoming environment.

Improve the website to be viewable on all major web browsers.

Expand programming for teens, families and adults.

Work with other base organizations to offer continuing education to encourage lifelong learning.