[PL-Directors] FW: University of Washington recruiting libraries for IMPACT Survey pilot

[Jim Scheppke]

Dear Directors:
I am sending this at the request of the University of Washington Information School. I hope some of you will consider this opportunity.

Jim Scheppke, State Librarian
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-4367
(fax) 503-585-8059
jim.b.scheppke at state.or.us

[cid:3396508731_558904]Go Green, Keep it on screen - think before you print.

********

Dear Library Director,


The University of Washington, with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is extending the benefits of the 2009 U.S. IMPACT Study patron web survey by making it available to all public libraries to use in their own data collection, evaluation, and advocacy efforts. Through the survey website, public libraries will also benefit from new advocacy tools, including video instruction, to help them communicate the value of public access technology to policy makers.


The University is currently recruiting 400-600 library systems nationwide to participate in a pilot of the survey tool and supporting materials. Pilot libraries will receive support throughout their involvement and will be asked to provide feedback via survey. A sample of pilot libraries will be asked to participate in a follow-up interview. Participating libraries will begin their flexible 2 to 4-week survey fielding period by September 12th.


I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to both evaluate and demonstrate the impact of providing public access technology services in your community. You may register your library for the pilot by creating an account at http://impactsurvey.org <http://impactsurvey.org/> . For more information, please visit http://impactsurvey.org <http://impactsurvey.org/>  or contact the survey coordinator at info at impactsurvey.org <mailto:info at impactsurvey.org>  or (206) 543-4324.
Thank you for your leadership.




About the U.S. IMPACT Study
Conducted in 2009, the U.S. IMPACT Study <http://tascha.uw.edu/usimpact/index.html> was the first large-scale investigation of the ways library patrons use computers and the Internet at public libraries, why they use it, and how it affects their lives. The study consisted of 4 case studies, a national telephone survey, and an online survey designed to supplement the telephone survey and ensure that PAC (public access computing) users from all walks of life were represented. Over 400 libraries participated in the online survey, which yielded 45,000 responses. The study was instrumental in providing evidence that access to the Internet at U.S. public libraries has a profound and measurable impact on individuals and communities. The study’s second report, Opportunity for All: How Library Policies and Practices Impact Public Internet Access <http://www.imls.gov/pdf/OppForAll2.pdf> was released in June of 2011.


--
Cortney Leach, MPA, MLIS
Research Analyst | IMPACT Team | University of Washington Information School
Community Consultant | COSLA Public Access Technology Community of Practice


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