The IMPACT Survey is currently in pilot mode.

We are currently conducting a pilot of the IMPACT Survey with a limited number of library systems to refine the survey processes and support materials. The deadline to register for participation in the pilot was September 26th. We wish to extend our thanks to those libraries who are participating in the pilot and hope to offer this survey tool to all public libraries in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions - I'm a Library Patron

  1. What is the purpose of this survey?
  2. Who created this survey?
  3. What sort of questions are on the survey?
  4. How long will it take to complete the survey?
  5. How is my privacy protected?
  6. How old do you have to be to take the survey?
What is the purpose of this survey?

The library is interested in how you have used the library’s computers and Internet connection and how this may have helped you in your life. This information will help the library to evaluate and improve its technology services, and to demonstrate that providing free access to computers and the Internet is a valuable service for the community.

Who created this survey?

This survey was created by the University of Washington Information School with generous funding from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. To learn more about the survey and the research behind it, please visit http://impactsurvey.org/about

What sort of questions are on the survey?

The survey asks general questions about how you use your library, and specific questions about how you may have used the library’s computers or Internet connection in relation to the following activity areas: employment, education, civic engagement, eBusiness, eCommerce, eGovernment, health and wellness, and social inclusion. It will also ask you about your use of certain library resources, and about your level of satisfaction with the library’s technology services. To see a list of all the questions included on the survey, click here.

How long will it take to complete the survey?

The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. We’ve worked to keep it as short as possible, and have built in filtering questions so that you avoid questions that are not applicable to you.

How is my privacy protected?

Your answers are confidential. When you take the survey, no personally identifiable information is collected, even if you complete the survey while you are logged into your library account. Also, though you must provide your birth year, all other questions are optional, so you are free to not answer any questions you do not want to answer.

How old do you have to be to take the survey?

You must be 14 years of age or older to take the survey. All respondents are required to enter their year of birth in order to take the survey.