What is the primary purpose of a library survey?

The primary purpose of a library survey is to gather feedback and assess community needs and service effectiveness. This process is crucial for understanding how well the library meets the needs of its patrons and identifying areas for improvement. Surveys can provide insights into user satisfaction, desired services, and community expectations, allowing library management to make informed decisions regarding programming, resources, and service delivery. By reaching out to the community through surveys, libraries can effectively adapt to changing needs and enhance their offerings, ensuring they remain relevant and valuable to their users.

In contrast, while assessing budget needs, ranking staff performance, and collecting circulation data are important aspects of library management, they do not capture the broader scope and purpose of a library survey, which focuses primarily on gathering user input and evaluating community engagement.