The Harford County Public Library (HCPL) wanted to strengthen its connection to the Harford County Public School (HCPS) system by better aligning the library's services directly to the needs of the school system. As such, it was determined that a needs assessment in the form of a survey tool should be developed and administered to school personnel. The results of this needs assessment would enable the HCPL to more directly assist schools in their efforts to comply with No Child Left Behind legislation by ensuring that all of Harford County's children receive a quality education.

HCPL contracted with Resources in Reading, an educational consulting firm, to design and administer this survey. The purpose of this report is to share the findings in a format that will facilitate the library system's goal of better aligning their services to the needs of the schools in their county. It is hoped that the survey development and administration process described in this report will serve as a template for other library systems who may be interested in a similar collaborative effort.

"The MD State Dept of Education, Divsion of Library Development and Services (DLDS), funded this innovative project with a federal library services and technology act grant.  Public libraries statewide are already benefiting from the pioneering efforts of HCPL and HCPS. We anticipate that students, their families and communities will find library resources and services increasingly aimed at improving academic achievement."  according to Stephanie Shauck, Division of Library Develpment and Services, Maryland State Department of Education.

Section I measured familiarity with the various services currently being offered by HCPL and the opinion of the usefulness of these services.
Section II measured the types and mounts of support respondents would like to receive from the library in achieving certain goals of the HCPS Master Plan.