Good morning, public librarians (and to all other librarians, good morning as well! This email is for your public library cousins, so have a good day!)

The Public Library Association is offering a Public Library Technology survey<https://librarybenchmark.org/>. Could you spare a few minutes to complete the survey? The results will help us determine where the technology and digital literacy needs are within our state, and will also inform national efforts to advocate for those needs nationally. If you have questions or need technical support for the survey, email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> for assistance.

If you want the long version of the story:

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All U.S. public libraries are invited to complete PLA’s 2023 Public Library Technology survey by Saturday, December 16. This year’s survey will examine how public libraries serve as hubs of knowledge and innovation in our communities, as well as show how libraries have evolved to meet patron needs since the 2020 survey. More information on this year’s survey and the 2020 Technology survey report can be found at https://www.ala.org/pla/data/plasurveys. An informational webinar has been scheduled for Thursday, October 12 at 1:00 PM central. Find more information and register here: https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/2023technology



Reasons why your library should complete the survey:

·        Contribute to powerful, actionable, and inspirational results for library staff across the country that can help answer pressing questions such as:

o   What types of online resources or digital literacy programming do you offer patrons?

o   Does your library have a Digital Navigator program?

o   Is your library involved in your state’s digital equity planning?

o   What parts of your technology infrastructure have been updated in the past 2 years?

o   What influences your ability to offer the digital content you would like to provide?

·        The results will provide nationally representative data to inform and engage elected officials, the media, and funders to increase awareness of the vital role of public libraries in bridging the digital divide and advancing technology services to meet the changing needs of patrons.

·        Your participation helps PLA create tools, resources, and professional development opportunities that are more useful for you in building and advancing technology and digital literacy services at your library.

·        With your 2023 survey participation, we will be able to build upon insights from the 2020 survey and provide an updated picture of the state of technology in public libraries.



To access the survey, please go to https://librarybenchmark.org/. Login to your library’s Benchmark account, click on “Surveys” and you will see this survey listed under “Open Surveys.” If you need to reset your password, use the “forgot your password?” link on the login page, or email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> for assistance. All libraries have free access to Benchmark to complete open surveys, view past survey responses and key metrics, and update contact details. Please submit your library’s responses by December 16, 2023.


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We sincerely appreciate your participation!

-Jared Leadbetter
 Technology Specialist
 Maine State Library