Public Libraries Survey

601 + 602 + 603 + 604 + 605.

A synchronous (live) program session is any planned event which introduces the group attending to library services or which provides information to participants. Program sessions may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Program sessions may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information. Examples of these types of program sessions include, but are not limited to, film showings, lectures, story hours, literacy programs, citizenship classes, and book discussions.

INCLUDE:

• All program sessions, whether held on-site or off-site, that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. For a program session to be sponsored or co-sponsored by the library, the library must contribute financial resources or library staff time toward the program session. For a program session that is part of a larger community event (such as a farmer's market or festival), it is not necessary for the library to also sponsor or organize the larger event.
• Both on-site and off-site program sessions. For example, include a story time at a farmer's market or a presentation to a school group about library resources conducted at a school.
• Live-streamed virtual (synchronous) program sessions that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the library.
• Program sessions with attendance of zero or one if they were intended for a group.

EXCLUDE:

• Program sessions sponsored by other groups that use library facilities. For example, DO NOT include a group hosting a speaker or holding a discussion in a meeting room without facilitation from library staff.
• Offsite outreach efforts that do not otherwise meet the definition of a program session. For example, do not include having a library card signup booth at a farmer's market.
• Recorded (asynchronous) presentations of program content; these should be counted in Total Number of Asynchronous Program Presentations.
• Programming that is shared on the library's website or social media that is not sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. For example, DO NOT include sharing a video from an author's website of him or her reading a book.
• Activities delivered on a one-to-one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, homework assistance, mentoring activities, etc.
• Passive or self-directed activities that do not occur at a scheduled time. For example, DO NOT include leaving an art project or puzzle on a table for participants to complete.

Count all programs, whether held on- or off-site, that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Exclude programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities. If programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a film series offered once a week for eight weeks should be counted as eight programs.

Note: Exclude library activities delivered on a one-to- one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, resume writing assistance, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. If a program is scheduled in advance, but serves customers sequentially rather than as a group, the program may be counted. If the session develops spontaneously with a customer and a library employee, then it should be counted as a reference transaction. If the session involves a non- library instructor and an individual receiving private instruction, do not count it. Example: If your library holds tax-help sessions every Saturday in March and people sign-up for one-hour sessions all day long, on any given Saturday the Tax Help would count as one program with X number of participants. If a customer asks a librarian for tax help and the librarian provides it either immediately or at a later time it counts as a reference transaction. If a CPA brings her client to the library to do her taxes with her, it doesn't count as either.

An adult program session is any planned event for which the primary audience is adults age 19 or older. Examples of these types of program sessions include, but are not limited to, book discussions, citizenship classes, and lectures. Each program session should only be counted in one age category based on its primary target audience.

A general interest program session is any planned event that is appropriate for any age group or multiple age groups. Include all-age, all-library, family, and intergenerational program sessions. Examples of these types of program sessions include, but are not limited to, family game nights, holiday events, storytelling programs, or chess clubs. Include all programs here that do not fit into the other age category elements.

An in-person onsite program session is any planned event that includes an in-person attendance option and takes place at library facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, a job skills class in the library or a nature program on the library grounds.

An in-person offsite program session is any planned event that includes an in-person attendance option and takes place somewhere other than the library or the library grounds. Examples include, but are not limited to, facilitating a book club at a local nursing home, hosting a story time at a local farmer's market, or visiting a school to present about library services.

A synchronous (live) virtual program session is any planned event that is streamed virtually and can be viewed live as it progresses (i.e., live-streaming).

611 + 612 + 613 + 614 + 615.

This is a total count of the audience at all program sessions during the reporting period. See the Synchronous Program Sessions definition for more detail about what counts as a program session.

• Include all attendees regardless of age (e.g., count all adult attendees of children's programs in children's program attendance).
• For program sessions with both in-person and virtual attendance, combine attendee counts across formats or platforms within each target age group.

The count of in-person attendance at program sessions that take place at library facilities.

Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended the program session.

The count of in-person attendance at program sessions that take place somewhere other than the library. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended the program session.

The count of live attendance at virtual program sessions. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee or view should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended or viewed the program session. Count each participant device connected to a virtual program as a single attendee. For program sessions hosted on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or similar platforms, count peak concurrent viewers. For those hosted on videoconferencing platforms, count the maximum number of non-staff participants during the session.

Total Number of Asynchronous Program Presentations

An asynchronous program presentation is any recording of program content that cannot be viewed live as it unfolds (i.e., on-demand streaming). Only include program presentations posted during the reporting period. Regardless of the number of platforms on which a presentation is posted, count each unique presentation only once. Include program sessions hosted on Facebook Premiere that are not facilitated by a staff member. Count asynchronous program presentations at the administrative entity level; do not duplicate numbers at each branch.