Frequently Asked Questions
How does my library sign up to use the Impact Survey?
How much does the survey cost?
How do I administer the survey online?
How long does it take to complete the survey?
Can any library patron take Impact Survey?
How do I collect data from the survey?
How frequently should I run the Impact Survey?
How does my library sign up to use the Impact Survey?
No need to sign up for anything at this time. To access the survey instrument you need, please refer to the Impact Survey page on our site. Stay tuned for updates!
I have a subscription with the University of Washington’s Impact Survey tool. Will I still have access to the survey instrument online?
University of Washington no longer accepting renewals and existing users only have access to the platform.
I have patron response data with the University of Washington’s Impact Survey Tool. How do I access it?
Data will be accessible via the Impact Survey site to any library with a pre-existing account. PLA does not have access to that data. Please be sure to download your data if you have any questions about results and are requesting help from PLA.
How much does the survey cost?
There is no cost to access the Pdf or Microsoft Word versions of the survey hyperlinked above.
How do I administer the survey online?
We recommend you use a survey tool that has skip logic function, such as SurveyMonkey. If you determine you do not need to use skip logic, you can also consider using other free tools, like Google Forms.
How long does it take to complete the survey?
The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete depending upon how patrons filter through the question set.
Can any library patron take Impact Survey?
Impact Survey is open to all library patrons age 14 and older. When administering a survey, all respondents should enter in their year of birth at is start. If the year entered indicates the respondent is under the age of 14 they should be directed to the survey conclusion page.
How do I collect data from the survey?
If you are not using a survey tool that collects and stores the data for you or are administering the survey in paper format, you should plan to enter data in an excel sheet.
How frequently should I run the Impact Survey?
We recommend that you administer Impact Survey on an annual or biannual basis. This allows you to follow information trends, changes, and improvements in your library.