2025 Public Library Survey Walkthrough - Week One: Getting Started and more...

Welcome to Week 1 of the Public Library Survey (PLS)  
(Earworm of the Day: “Whistle While You Work”)

If you are new to the PLS or just wondering where to begin, I will be offering some tips on completing two of the survey sections each week. For those who prefer to break the job down in this way, it should make it manageable to finish up well before the deadline. Here we go!

1.    How to log in
If you are the person at your library who is responsible for completing the survey, you should have received an email from “NH@CountingOpinions.com” last week. That email provides your username and password along with the link to the portal login. Remember, if you have completed this in the past, your username and password are still the same.

If you did not get that email, check your spam folder, and if it isn’t there, please email me and let me know.  I try to keep my lists current but sometimes staffing and email changes slip through the cracks. 

Once you have found the login info, you are ready to go.

2.    Things to Keep in Mind
Grayed Out Question/Answers:
After you log in, you will notice that many of the survey questions and answers are grayed out and cannot be changed. There are two types of these:
•    Items that have been pre-filled by us for each library. If you think there is an error with any of the pre-filled items, please let me know so I can make corrections.
•    Items that are automatically calculated totals of other numbers entered. If you think there is an error with any of the totals, be sure that the numbers you are entering to be totaled are correct.

When to use the response “Unavailable”:
This option is there for the times when you do have the things in question, but you don’t know the number.  **When you do not have the thing in question, but you do know that the number is zero, enter 0.**

Explanatory Notes are Important:
For each data entry box shown, you will see the number your library reported last year to the right of the box for comparison purposes. The system will ask you for an explanatory note for any item that has changed significantly from last year. The notepad icon is just to the left of the data entry box. Click on that to enter notes explaining your answers whenever necessary. Your notes are important to us and to IMLS, so please take the time to leave clear explanations for changes over the prior year.

3.    Section 1:
Public Library Statistics
In this section, you will see many items that are grayed out because they have been pre-filled. Review those for accuracy and complete the four remaining questions. Note that the Reporting Period start and end dates are shown, and this is the period you are reporting on. Some libraries have chosen to report on the calendar year, and others on the fiscal year. Be sure to check and see which one applies to you!

•    Library Visits – The number of people who entered your library for the year.
•    Library Visits Reporting Method – Choose the option you use to count library visits.
•    Number of Registered Users – The number of people registered in your library with an active, unexpired card. The IMLS considers an active card to be one that has been used in the past three years.
•    Non-Resident Fee – If you charge a user fee to people who are not residents of your town, enter the amount here.

4.    Section 2:
Outlets
•    Public Service Hours – Enter the number of hours your library was open to the public for the year in question.
•    Number of Weeks Open – Enter the number of weeks your library was open to the public for the year in question.

Huzzah!  If you have been following along with me, your 2025 PLS journey towards completion has begun.

As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at 603-271-2060 or Jennifer.m.finch@dncr.nh.gov. I’ll be back next week with the next two sections. (Can’t wait for the next episode? Feel free to continue along the path!)

Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library
N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
20 Park St.
Concord, NH 03301
Office: 603-271-2060
Ref Desk: 603-271-2144
Jennifer.M.Finch@dncr.nh.gov
 

   

The SE ILL van delivery route is cancelled today [Friday, Jan. 30].  The affected libraries are as follows:

Northwood
Center Strafford
Barrington
Rochester
Somersworth
Dover
Lee
Durham
Newmarket
Portsmouth
Rye
North Hampton

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best wishes,
Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library

   

Two ILL van delivery routes are cancelled today [Tuesday, Jan. 27]: North Country (NC) and SE-B (Southeast B). The affected libraries are as follows:

North Country

Whitefield
Dalton
Lancaster
Groveton
Stratford
Colebrook
Errol
WMCC - Berlin
Berlin
Gorham
Jefferson
Randolph
Jackson
Bartlett
North Conway
Conway

Southeast B

Auburn
Derry
Windham
Pelham
Londonderry
Litchfield
Hudson
Nashua
Hollis
Milford
Amherst
Merrimack
Bedford
Manchester

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best wishes,
Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library

   

Apologies for the late notice, but we needed to shorten the SE ILL route today [Friday, Jan. 23].

The libraries that will receive deliveries today are:
Somersworth
Dover
Durham
Newmarket
Portsmouth

The following libraries will not be receiving a delivery today:
Northwood
Center Strafford
Barrington
Rochester
Lee
Rye
North Hampton

Thank you for your understanding.

Best wishes,
Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library 

   

I have exciting news. The NH 2025 Public Library Survey (a.k.a. Public Library Annual Report) is now open!  *cue sparkly lights and cheering fans*
 
Questions you may be asking:
 
1. How do I access the survey?
•    Your username and password will be in an email that you’ll receive later today. The Sender’s name is NH@countingopinions.com, and the Subject line will read NH Public Library Survey Access Information. 
•    Check your Spam and Junk folders if you don’t get the email by early next week. Please let me know if you don’t receive it.
•    If you saved your login information from last year, it hasn’t changed. 
•    Go to nh.countingopinions.com to log in and get started.
 
2. How much time do I have?
•    This year's survey will be open for responses until Thursday, April 30. That means you have 99 days (14 weeks and 1 day) to complete the questions. You can do it! Make a plan, pace yourself, and don’t wait until the last minute. 😊
 
3. What is different this year?
Nothing!  The FY2025 PLS is the same as it was for FY2024.

4. What help can I get to complete the survey?
Lots!  I am here to help you in a number of different ways, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at 603-271-2060 or jennifer.m.finch@dncr.nh.gov.
 
Here are some things to help you get started:
•    For a paper copy of the survey that you can print out and work on before entering the numbers online, Download the Annual Report Worksheet or click on the link at the bottom of the survey login page.
•    For instructions on how to complete each section of the survey go to the FY2025 Annual Report Guide.
•    Beginning next week, look for an email from me each week with tips on how to complete two sections of questions. If you decide to follow along with me on those, your survey will be finished by the end of March.
•    Once you get started, you may find that you have a few questions or need some assistance. Contact me and we can work out the problem via phone, Zoom, or email.
•    If you are in a Co-op or other library group that would like to get an overview of the survey either in person, or on Zoom, let me know and we can set that up.
•    There is a LibGuide for the Public Library Survey available on the NHSL website.
  
5.  Why are we doing this?
Here’s some background for everyone, new and experienced survey filler-outers alike:
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency established in support of libraries, collects public library data nationally every year. As part of this process, the IMLS requires the NH State Library to collect the same data from all public libraries in NH that is being collected in every other state. They use this data to better understand your programs and services, and to see how our libraries compare to those in other states. Once the data has been entered, we at the state library compile it and make it available to you so that you may use it to see how your numbers compare with those from similar libraries, articulate your value, and help to tell the story of the importance of your library to your community. The data from past years may be found on our website:  https://www.nhsl.dncr.nh.gov/librarians/library-statistics

So, there we are. Thank you for working with me to complete this process. The New Hampshire libraries have done a great job on the survey in past years. I know you can do it again!
 
Let me know how I can help and watch your e-mailbox.

Jennifer M. Finch, MSLIS
Reference Librarian and State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library
N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
20 Park St.
Concord, NH 03301
Office: 603-271-2060
Ref Desk: 603-271-2144
Jennifer.M.Finch@dncr.nh.gov