Texas Library Snapshot Day
ZOOMING IN ON YOU!


Proves:
Texans Love Libraries!

How does Library Snapshot Day work?

Although the target day for 2011 was October 31, libraries could pick any single day in October and promote that day to their community and students. Their instructions were:

  • Let them know you’ll be “snapping” a shot of the library’s activities that day. It’s our way of asking patrons to say “cheese!”
  • Collect data, stories, and photographs.
  • Upload that information to the Texas Library Snapshot Day Web form. Be sure to upload your information by November 11, 2011.

What then?

Libraries can use the information gathered in their own activities, see what other libraries are doing, and get a sense of statewide library usage. All the information is accessible to participating libraries.

Visit the TLA website
to find out how to
advocate for
Texas libraries
.

Library Snapshot Day provides a way for libraries of all types across Texas to show what happens in a single day in their libraries. It is a “snapshot” of a day in the life of your library. To participate, pick a single day in the month of October to gather and submit information about your library. The purpose of Library Snapshot Day is to allow the statewide library community to gather similar data that we can use to promote libraries.

Fall 2011 Snapshot Day Results:

A total of 412 library outlets participated in Texas Library Snapshot Day (TLSD) or Fall 2011. Two hundred and forty institutions included public library branches, school campus libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries responded to the TLSD survey.

As a sample (about 6%) of the total community of library outlets in Texas, participants reported 104,836 in-person visits during TLSD. On average, we estimate that over 1.7 million people visit Texas libraries every day.

Public Libraries

  • Every day, in a typical public library branch, librarians assist about 40 people every day with technology.

  • Every day, in a typical public library branch, over 72 people received formal computer training.

  • Every day, in a typical public library branch, almost 50 kids attend storytime readings.

School Libraries

  • Every day, in a typical school campus library, school librarians provide curriculum-related instruction to 222 students.

  • Every day, in a typical school campus library, school librarians instruct 144 students on the use of technology.

  • Every day, in a typical school campus, 150 students choose to spend free time in the library.

Comments from the Field! (PDFs)

  • Sample some of the reference questions Texans asked librarians.

  • Here are some comments from Texas library users.

  • Discover some of the programs happening in libraries all across Texas!


Spring 2010 Library Snapshot Day:
Full Report Summary Article Sample Press Release


Texas Library Snapshot Day
is presented by the
Texas Library Association

LIBRARY DATA INPUT

Survey Instructions & Form Preview (doc)

Texas Library Snapshot Day Input Form (to submit final data)

RESOURCE LIBRARY (DOCS)

Patron Forms
(may be adapted by individual libraries as needed)

Photo Permission Form

Last Modified: 02/08/2012 • Copyright 2010 Texas Library Association • Contact: Gloria Meraz