Evaluation Toolkit: Parks Pass Grant

Thank you for participating in the Parks Pass Grant Program. Included in this toolkit are:

If you have any questions, or would like support in developing your evaluation, please contact parkspass@library.ca.gov.

Parks Pass Circulation Data

All libraries that received Parks Passes are required to provide monthly circulation data through LibPAS. Please submit your data quarterly. Staff that submits the Public Libraries Survey data will also submit Parks Pass circulation data. A reminder email will be sent to Counting Opinions account holders on a quarterly basis.

Parks Pass User Survey

A user survey, linked by QR code, is on the back of the passes and is accessible directly online.

Please encourage your library users to fill out a survey when they return the pass. These results will be shared with libraries. Please be aware that this Parks Pass user survey is separate from the grant-funded program survey (included below).

Program Attendance/Circulation/Survey Response Tracking Spreadsheet

An Excel spreadsheet for tracking survey responses from people who participate in grant-funded programs is available for download.

As grantees, you should be tracking attendance at programs and/or circulation of your grant funded items and survey responses. The spreadsheet will help you keep track as you go; please submit it with your mid-year and final reports.

Parks Pass Grant Program Survey

As you plan your programs, please keep the survey questions in mind. Your programs and activities should be designed around outcomes related to at least one of these goals: supporting outdoor access (including State Parks access), mental and physical health, natural resource stewardship, community and historical connections, and/or a deeper connection to your library.

Please provide a survey to your each of your grant program participants. You may distribute the survey questions in an online format, such as MS Forms, Google Forms, or Survey Monkey, or paper format, depending on the audience and program. The questions may also be used to conduct focus groups.

There are required questions for all programs, and then depending on the goals you’ve chosen for your program, select further required questions listed under “Required Program-Specific Questions”. You may also create your own additional questions to measure how successfully your program benefitted participants.

The only edits allowed for the required questions is the removal of the inapplicable services (program, activity, or resource). For instance, if you circulating nature backpacks, you would remove the program/activity parts of the question. Thank you!

A Spanish version of the survey is available for download.

Required General Questions

  • I am more likely to visit a State Park because of this library program/activity/resource.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree
  • I am more likely to spend time outside because of this library program/activity/resource.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree
  • This is my first time using a library resource/taking part in a program/activity at the library.
    1. Yes
    2. No
  • I am going to sign up/I signed up for a library card to access the Parks Passes.
    1. Yes
    2. No
  • I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree
  • I learned something useful from the library program/activity/resource.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree
  • Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

Required Program-Specific Questions

Choose questions from this list depending on goals you’ve chosen for your program:

Health Outcomes

  • I believe that spending time outdoors as part of this library program/activity/resource was beneficial for my health.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree

Natural Resource Stewardship

  • I will use what I learned about the natural environment.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree

Historical and Cultural Connections

  • I feel more connected to the history and/or culture of my community because of this library program/activity/resource.
    1. Strongly Disagree
    2. Disagree
    3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
    4. Agree
    5. Strongly Agree

Additional Resources for Evaluation

Below are some resources to explore when thinking about program evaluation.