4 ways of implementation of survey

a. Mailing questionnaires to randomly selected members of the community;

b. Performing telephone survey;
c. Handing out surveys while people are in an assembly; and
d. Posting questionnaires on your public access computer catalog.

national census will provide data for social

and demographic indicators of the community. Data included are age, gender,
educational level, locality, etc. that tend to contribute to library use.
Public records

this refers to the economic base, social, cultural, educational,

recreational organizations. This includes the values and social pattern.
Economic data

Needs assessment, social analysis or community diagnosis as others refer to, is a

concrete base for the formulation of programs. It reflects the sentiments, needs,
aspirations and recommendations of the community people.
Needs assessment

Community needs assessment is a means to measure problems, issues and

concerns of a specific locality which could be done by interested group with sponsors to
establish credibility.

4 community assistance
Facilitate group discussion to identify important issues and set priorities.
Help select the sample to be surveyed and design a system to identify
respondents.
Provide summary reports of data.
Work with the citizens to identify courses of action based on the information.

Importance to be included in assessing community needs

1. Historical Development – this refers to data on how the community became what
it is today and provides insights into the kind of resources to collect and weed.

2. Geographical and Transportation Information – this includes information on the

community’s patterns and population contributions.

3. Political and Legal Functions – this includes strategies for community based
selection (or this may include strategies that community uses for selecting players
in the political sphere).

4. Demographic Data – this includes data on age characteristics, size, race, and
transience of population.

5. Economic Data – this refers to the economic base, social, cultural, educational,

1. Focused Group Discussion (FGD) with key Informants. The key informants of
the community are people who hold socially responsible positions such as
educators, public officials, clergy and business representatives or those who are
active in community events. These are the people who can provide good
information that will guide and give you better understanding on historical issues
needed by the community.

2. Community Forum/Assembly. This involves holding of group events that may

include the entire community. It gives visibility to the leaders and raises the status
of the community but it requires lots of planning and publicity. This meeting can
be venue where people can express their needs and be immediately validated by
the rest of the attendees; Participator action research effectively uses this method.

3. Public records. Public records like national census will provide data for social
and demographic indicators of the community. Data included are age, gender,
educational level, locality, etc. that tend to contribute to library use.

4. Survey. Survey and questionnaires involve asking individuals in the community

about their everyday needs.

Define community needs assessment

Community Needs Assessments seek to accumulate accurate

information representative of a community's needs. Prior to taking
action, assessments are used to determine current situations and
identify issues for action. Assessment can be carried out in a variety of
ways, including focused group discussions, surveys, community
forums or assemblies, and a review of public records. The assessment
results can identify where needs are not being met and may serve as a
way to resolve community problems and issues. So it is indeed playing
an important role in assisting the citizens of the community in providing
a better way of life through the action to be carried out.