Patrons give a thumbs-up to temporary Oceanside public library

The temporary home of the Oceanside Library has received mostly rave reviews in its first three months of operation, according to the results of a new survey released on June 30.

The library has been temporarily operating out of 55 Atlantic Ave., in the Great Lincoln Shopping Center, since mid-April because the permanent building, on Davison Avenue, is undergoing renovations. The tentative return date to the main building is October 2023, library officials said.

The officials sent out a short-form survey on June 16 on their social media platforms, hoping to receive feedback on the temporary location, and they received more than 600 responses.

Dubbed the “20-second survey,” it asked five questions, with four of them accepting responses as a numerical rating from one through five, while the last question was an open response. The survey asked for patrons’ impressions on the temporary location, as well as their satisfaction with the staff’s assistance.

Anthony Iovino, the library’s assistant director, said the library has a history of seeking the public’s input and has run dozens of other surveys and requests for suggestions in the past. He said that the quick surveys provide the best results.

For this survey, the impression of the library in the temporary location received a 4.6 out of a 5, while the staff’s helpfulness was given a 4.9.

“We were very happy that the response to our temporary location had an average that was close to 5 [out of] 5, and same with the staff,” Iovino said. “We got great marks on those points, and it’s always nice to get a pat on the back.”

Around 300 people responded to the optional suggestion portion of the survey, providing feedback with ways they thought the library could improve the temporary location. Based on the feedback, the library was able to make five modifications.

“We don’t just ask people for their opinion and comments just for comment sake; we take things seriously and modify where we can,” Iovino said.

The modifications included rearranging a few of the tables against the window so that patrons have easy access to power outlets so they could plug in their laptops.

The library also ordered tri-fold display boards so those working at the front window would be shielded from the sun.

“In the children’s section, one of the areas was too accessible to the door,” Iovino said. “It hadn’t been on our radar, but when someone raised it in the feedback section, we agreed with it 100 percent.” As a result, one of the library clerks was repositioned to keep an eye on the door and barriers were ordered to create a more enclosed space for children.

Iovino said that one suggestion would also be used when the library returns to the permanent location.

The library has been seeking ways to make navigation easier and to help visitors find the material they are searching for, and these would include QR codes, tours and better signage around the library. In addition, the library will be implementing a map of the location.

The library also has a new 20-second survey running on social media that will accept responses for the next few weeks.

The survey is on “Program Basics” and asks for feedback on the library-run programs, including questions on time of day and in-person or virtual preferences.

Later in the summer, the library plans to release another 20-second survey on the summer reading clubs, as well as other services the library provides.

After completing the surveys, responders are chosen at random to win Oceanside Library swag, to encourage more people to participate.

“We value the public’s opinion,” said Iovino. “We regularly reach out, and we appreciate not only the praise, but also the constructive criticism. We try to take all feedback into consideration.”