Your voice, your needs: Insights from the WebJunction experience survey
At WebJunction, we’re here to support you in the important work that you do—whether you’re managing a library, engaging directly with patrons, or supporting your team’s professional development. Every two years, we ask for feedback on what WebJunction offers so we can better understand your challenges, priorities, and how we can better meet your needs and interests. Thank you to everyone who participated in our latest survey! Your insights are invaluable in shaping the resources and programs we offer.
We'll be sharing our findings in a two-part series. In this first piece, we'll share what we learned from the survey responses about what our users are looking for out of their WebJunction experience.
A diverse and dedicated community of library staff
WebJunction users are as varied as the communities you serve. Most are public library staff (80%) in the US, but we also heard from academic, school, and government libraries—as well as some libraries that come to us internationally. You come from institutions of all sizes and locations, from small rural libraries to large urban systems. No matter your role or where you work, you share a commitment to public service, learning, and growth.
Your satisfaction tells us we’re on the right path: 90% of respondents are either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with WebJunction. Many shared an appreciation for the accessibility and quality of our resources.
One respondent said:
"WebJunction is invaluable for professional development—especially for rural libraries."
We’re proud to share that we’ve maintained a similar level of satisfaction for the past several years. Thank you for trusting us to support your professional development. We’re honored to be part of your journey.
What matters most to you
Libraries are evolving, and so are the needs of library staff. Our course catalog reflects many of the interests and needs you shared. Here’s what you told us is most important right now:
Technology at the forefront
Libraries are critical hubs for helping communities navigate rapid technological change, and you’re keeping pace. Technology was your top priority (40%), with specific interests in:
- Emerging technologies and trends (68%)
- Artificial intelligence (AI) (46%)
- Computer skills (35%)
- Accessibility (29%)
Whether it’s understanding the role of AI in libraries, improving digital accessibility, or building your own tech skills, we’re working to provide the resources you need to stay ahead of the curve.
The many hats of library workers
Beyond technology, your work spans a wide range of roles and responsibilities. These topics also ranked high:
- Customer service (39%)
- Library management (37%)
- Community engagement (33%)
- Staff safety (31%)
- Programming (30%)
From providing excellent service to patrons to ensuring staff safety and creating impactful programs, public library work is multifaceted—and we want to equip you with the tools needed to help meet those demands.
As one respondent shared:
“I use what I learn to train staff and improve services for our patrons.”
Flexibility in learning styles is key
We know schedules are packed, so it’s no surprise that you value learning formats that can adapt to your timeline. Here’s what you said works best:
- Recorded webinars (78%) and self-paced courses (57%) are top choices, allowing you to learn at your convenience.
- Many also value articles (47%) and live webinars (44%) to stay informed and connected with peers.
One respondent highlighted the importance of diverse learning topics:
“I love the variety and quality of webinars, and that they’re free.”
No matter how you prefer to learn, our goal is to make it easy, accessible, and relevant to the WebJunction community.
For managers and state libraries: Supporting your teams
If you’re a manager encouraging professional development or a state library supporting continuing education, we want you to know that WebJunction is here to help your teams succeed. With our broad range of topics and flexible learning formats, we’re committed to providing high-quality, relevant training that meets the needs of libraries across the country.
If WebJunction can be of assistance in designing, delivering, or supporting your training and continuing education programs, please let us know—we have decades of experience working with libraries of all sizes.
Up next: Where WebJunction is headed
Here, we shared key findings from the survey responses to identify what our users are looking for from their WebJunction experience. In part two of sharing our survey results, we'll outline what's next for WebJunction based on your feedback. More soon!