Naperville library extending loan periods

Naperville Public Library officials are still poring through hundreds of comments from November’s Library Customer Satisfaction survey, but they’ve already responded to the loudest request.

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 1, the library is extending the loan period for DVDs and Blu-ray discs to seven days and for books, magazines, audiobooks, CDs, and downloadable eAudiobooks and eBooks from two weeks to three.

Roughly 56 percent of the 4,300 survey participants indicated they would like longer loan periods. Some patrons said they used the library less frequently because of dissatisfaction with the shorter loan periods.

“We think people are going to be very happy with the loan period extensions, especially with the one week DVD loan period,” Deputy Director Julie Rothenfluh said. “Even though our materials budget has been cut by 21 percent over the past three years, our staff works very hard to provide the titles our users want. I’m pleased the staff’s commitment was reflected in the survey with an eye-popping 89 percent of users reporting either being extremely or very satisfied with the collection.”

The survey was conducted Nov. 12 through Nov. 22 at all three buildings and online through the website.

“We’re looking through the comments for trends that stand out but we want to take more time to analyze them,” Executive Director Donna Dziedzic said.

According to results shared with board members Wednesday night, of the 4,300 respondents, 95 percent reported being “extremely or very satisfied.” The survey, however, also indicated an 18 percent decrease in the category of “I always find what I need” that was attributed to the 21 percent, or $555,368, reduction in collection spending since fiscal year 2008.

“We are continuing analysis of the Customer Satisfaction Survey to address other concerns and comments,” Rothenfluh said.