!e patron perspective is the most important perspective and always has been. Patrons have to value their library, or at the very least value the concept of a good library in their community, if they are to become and remain library supporters. Without library supporters, where are we?
To put it another way, we (librarians and other library insiders) may think we are doing a great job being all a great library can be, but if our patrons feel di"erently, what we think doesn’t matter much.
So we should ask patrons how we are doing and where improvement is needed. Sometimes we don’t have to ask; each of our libraries has a patron or two or nine who will tell us how we are doing, sometimes in a heated and not very complimentary way. It’s all good; it’s all stu" we need to hear. We do ask, through surveys, questionnaires, focus groups and everyday conversations with patrons.
And now: we will hear from a number of stakeholders in the pages of this issue of Alki, including patrons—how are we doing?
Alki Editor: Bo Kinney
Alki Editorial Committee: Diane Cowles, committee chair; Samantha Becker; Theresa Kappus; Emily Keller; Tami Robinson; Cadi Russell-Sauvé; Kate Skinner; Tony Wilson
Alki was designed by Tammy Reniche, Director of Publications for Melby Cameron & Anderson.
Cover photo: Librarian Jody Segal shows students the book stacks of the Holman Library at Green River Community College. Photo courtesy of Holman Library.
