Summary information

Study title

National User Survey of Finnish Public Libraries 2018

Creator

Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency
Sainio, Tapani
Kummala-Mustonen, Merja
Alroth, Susanne
Ihanamäki, Satu
Litmanen-Peitsala, Päivi
Priha, Leena
Sarmela, Matti
Juntumaa, Jouni
Valtonen, Raija
Seppänen, Antti

Study number / PID

FSD3308 (FSD)

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3308 (URN)

10.60686/t-fsd3308 (DOI)

Data access

Restricted

Series

National User Surveys of Finnish Libraries

The national user surveys of Finnish libraries collect information on the use of library services, customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of services. The surveys are aimed at the end users of public, university and special libraries and have been conducted as online surveys. The identical questionnaires used in the surveys enable the comparison within and between the library sectors, as well as the examination of trends. FSD collections cover data for 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2018.

Abstract

The National User Survey of Finnish Public Libraries charted customer experiences of library services in Finland. The survey charted frequency of library use, reasons for using the library, as well as satisfaction with library facilities, collections, and customer service. The user survey is part of the national evaluation of library services and a tool for the development of each library itself. The survey was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and each library collected their own survey. Frequency of visiting the library was charted as well as reasons for visiting (including e.g. checking out books, searching the library's collections, using the library's IT equipment, reading magazines). The respondents were also asked how often they used online services of the library and whether they followed the library on social media. Next, the respondents were presented with statements relating to library facilities (location, opening hours, equipment, sufficiency of space for different activities, accessibility), collections (books, audio books, e-books, magazines, e-magazines, music, movies), customer service, and different types of events and trainings. The respondents evaluated these factors according to how important they considered them and how well they were implemented in the library. The respondents were also asked to give a school grade to the library in general. Finally, the respondents were asked to what extent the library had positively affected their work, studying or other activities. Background variables included gender, age group, economic activity and occupational status, and educational level.

Methodology

Data collection period

09/04/2018 - 06/05/2018

Country

Finland

Time dimension

Longitudinal: Cohort/Event-based

Analysis unit

Individual

Universe

Users of public libraries in Finland

Excludes: South Karelia

Sampling procedure

Non-probability: Availability

Kind of data

Quantitative

Data collection mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)
Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Access

Publisher

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Publication year

2020

Terms of data access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Related publications

  • Seppänen, Antti & Kontiainen, Kristiina & Ihanamäki, Satu & Niskanen, Nina-Mari (2018). Etelä-Suomen kirjastot 2017. Aluehallintovirastojen julkaisuja 52. Hämeenlinna: Aluehallintovirasto. ISBN-978-952-5890-86-0
  • Seppänen, Antti (2018). Sinne vain on niin mukava mennä - Yleisten kirjastojen asiakaskyselyn tulokset 2018 Aluehallintovirastojen julkaisuja 47. Hämeenlinna: Aluehallintovirasto. ISBN 978-952-5890-85-3