Surveyed users' satisfaction with PINES tops 92 percent
GPLS News, June 2009
PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) is the public library automation and lending network for more than 275 libraries and affiliated service outlets in almost 140 Georgia counties.
Enjoying the highest response rate in the five-year history of its annual survey, Georgia's PINES program has also attained its highest-ever satisfaction ratings this year.
A statewide consortium of more than 280 public libraries and affiliated service outlets in nearly 140 counties, the Public Information Network for Electronic Services -- PINES, for short -- offers citizens a shared catalog of approximately 10 million items, with a single library card that is welcomed in all member libraries.
With a 15 percent increase in respondents from the previous year, the 2009 PINES User Satisfaction Survey drew more than 2,000 participants. This doubles the number of people who responded just two years ago, shortly after the introduction of the open-source Evergreen operating system. Developed in house by Georgia Public Library Service, Evergreen was introduced in September 2006 and one year later won a national award for technology collaboration from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Users entering the PINES online catalog between April 19 and 25, whether at a library workstation or from a remote home or office computer, could complete the 2009 PINES User Satisfaction Survey. PINES Program Manager Chris Sharp coordinated this year's survey. He pointed out that, in addition to increased use of the service, the 2009 results showed a higher degree of satisfaction than the already impressive figures from years past.
Based on 2009 survey data, Sharp said, 19 out of 20 respondents (95.6 percent) would recommend the PINES system to friends, with more than four out of five (82.9 percent) using the catalog at least weekly to renew books online, place holds on books, determine fines or see what items they have checked out.
An average of 92 percent of respondents -- up from 77 percent prior to Evergreen's introduction -- also agreed or strongly agreed with these statements: * It is easy to use the PINES online catalog. * I typically find what I am looking for using the PINES online catalog. * It is easy to determine if my library owns a particular item. * If my local library does not have an item I need, it is easy to find and obtain the item through the PINES system. * It is easy to renew my materials through the PINES online catalog. * I am satisfied with the PINES statewide library card system.
"We also received a consider-able number of comments that will help us shape the future of PINES," Sharp explained. "Users indicated a strong desire to see full statewide access to materials (up from the currently participating 51 of 61 library systems); enhanced access to GALILEO databases, including meta-searches across PINES and GALILEO; and statewide access to electronic and audiovisual materials."
"The figures and suggestions we received this year are outstanding," said Julie Walker, deputy state librarian. "It's truly gratifying to see that Georgia's library users appreciate the benefits and conveniences offered by PINES and that, even in light of the current economic uncertainties, they want to see the system expand to more areas of the state and offer more services."