Approximately 7,000 surveys were mailed with the Town of Wilmington water bill on August 2, 2004. The survey was also available on the library's website. Copies of the survey were also delivered to Avalon Oaks and Deming Way (an apartment complex and senior public housing where water bills are not mailed to residents). Copies of the survey were available at the public service desks in the library. The deadline for submitting the survey was August 31, 2004. The library received 332 responses by the deadline. Since then, we have received 20 more surveys not calculated in the results but seem consistent with the general findings. According to Scott Kehoe, consultant from the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System (NMRLS) who compiled the results, this is the highest return he has seen for a community that has done a similar survey in the Northeast Region.

The satisfaction rating section of the survey demonstrates that the majority of users are satisfied with our collections, programs, technology, and staff. Comments from residents, who took the time to respond to the questions asked on the library survey, were numerous and varied, however, certain trends, did emerge. First and foremost, it is important to note that that under the question, "What do you like best about the library?" ninety-eight respondents mentioned staff, often with a supporting adjective such as: friendly, courteous, knowledgeable, and helpful. This response was by far the one most often cited. This corresponds to the 94% satisfaction rating staff received for courtesy and knowledge on the check-off portion of the survey. There were only a few isolated comments regarding a negative experience with the staff.

In response to the question about areas that Need Improvement, over fifty respondents made written comments indicating a desire for an increase in new and varied materials in at least one format including: Books, DVDs, Audio Books, Music CDs, Museum Passes, and Magazines. Comments of this type were across all collections--Adult, Children's, and Teen. Many are pleased with the ability of being able to obtain items through interlibrary loans but bemoan the fact they often do not find what they are looking for when they walk through the door. Our new Hot Titles collection, which addresses this issue, was mentioned by some as being a "best liked" item. A few indicated our materials seem dated and worn and would like to see more up-to-date items. A handful of residents said they frequent neighboring libraries because of their larger, newer collections.

In response to the question "What is the most important thing this library can do to improve," there were over fifty written comments indicating a need for more space: space for expanded collections, space for quiet study, and space for casual reading (sitting). This corresponds to the 'most important' facility needs as checked-off by the respondents (see below). There were also numerous general comments stating a need for a new facility due to the size and condition of the current building. Several indicated they liked the present location (approximately 30) while others were not bound by location, but simply wanted a new library. Other comments on the existing facility included a need for better interior and exterior lighting (parking lot too dark), need for a cleaner environment and better maintenance, need to control mildew odor, and a need to connect the parking lots. There were also several respondents who asked for a convenient drop-off location for materials. Over fifteen people wrote that they would like to see additional computers/technology and 55.7% of respondents marked this as an important issue for a new library. It should also be noted, that there were a few who are satisfied with the library the way it is.

In addition, there were positive remarks about the library programming including Wilmington Reads, Adult, Teen, and Children's programs but also comments indicating "more" would be better: more evening Children's programs to accommodate working parents, more Children's programs in the fall and spring, including programs on Wednesdays and Fridays, more programs for preschoolers, more Teen programs, more author nights, etc.. Also, there were scattered comments about the need for additional hours, mainly Sundays and Saturdays in the summer.

Residents who attended recent public forums indicated that the following were weaknesses or were absent from our current facility. Which of the following do you feel are important for the library to include in any future plans for a new facility?

The following responses are listed in order by the categories that residents checked as "important" on the survey.

More than half (60.9%) of those who responded to the survey visit the library weekly. Only 3.3% of those who responded to the survey have never visited the library. The largest age category that responded to the survey was between 25 and 45.

77.2% of those who completed the survey were female.