The Virginia Library Association and the Library of Virginia need your help. We want to take a snapshot of a typical day in the life of Virginia’s libraries. What would Virginia be like if there were no libraries? What services do we provide on a daily basis that simply go unrecognized and unappreciated? We have created a survey (a BRIEF survey!) to collect data. We will be sending you a link to the form ahead of time so you can see the kinds of data we will collect. Select just one day between April 19 – 30 to collect information and photos that illustrate the impact that Virginia libraries make on their communities on a typical day.
All the data will be collected online. We will then collate the information we receive by May 14th and package it so you will have powerful statistics available, i.e., “If all of Virginia’s libraries had been closed just one day, 2,500 people would not have been able to fill out an online employment application.”
Snapshot Day is an ALA initiative based on similar projects of the same name that began in New Jersey and have been replicated in several other states. We all know Virginia’s libraries are busier than ever these days, with people coming in to check out books, as well as to use computers, look for jobs, and attend the many programs our libraries offer. All across the state, libraries are the cornerstones of their communities, places where people come together to visit, learn and share ideas.
More information will follow along with details and links to a tool kit to make it easy for your library to participate, get your patrons involved, report statistics, post pictures, as well as tips on ways to use the results!
We will be sending a link that will take you to our online survey. You will be able to print the survey out ahead of time so that you can see what kind of information we’d like you to capture. We’d also like you to take photos and we’ll have instructions showing how you can easily post your photos to flickr. The first NJ Snapshot Day event collected more than 1,000 photos and hoping we can too!
If you have questions, please contact Susan Paddock.
Phone: 757-373-0978 Email: spaddock@vbgov.com