3.2 Community Survey

A community survey running between March 29 and May 5, 2021 collected input on a variety of topics related to libraries for the FMP. Specifically, the survey explored usage of Brampton Library branches along with library-offered activities and services. The survey was available to complete through online and hard copy formats. A total of 931 surveys were completed and analyzed.

With the COVID-19 pandemic having closed library branches and reduced the availability of services typically provided in 2020 and 2021, survey respondents were asked to report their participation levels from 2019 (pre-COVID) to provide an accurate picture of what libraries residents typically visited. Please note that the self-administered format of the survey is such that results should not be considered to be statistically representative of Brampton’s entire population.

Survey Sample Characteristics

Notable demographic characteristics of responding households are as follows:

• The median age of survey respondents was 40, four years above the 2016 Census median.

• The average household size was 3.6 persons, which is comparable to the 2016 Census figure.

• Responses were obtained from areas across Bampton, based on postal codes. The top areas represented were generally located in areas served by the Chinguacousy, Mount Pleasant

Village, South West, Fletchers, and Springdale branches. Less than 3% of respondents were nonresidents of Brampton.

• People that have lived in Brampton for over 10 years accounted for 64% of responses, suggesting that much of the survey sample is well established in the city.

• English is spoken in 95% of responding households though 14% report also speaking Hindi and 12% speak Punjabi.

• Nearly 3 out of 4 surveys were submitted by persons identifying as females (74%) while 24% were submitted by persons identifying as males and 2% by persons that identify as ‘Other’ such as nongendered or non-binary individuals.

• 90% of persons surveyed reported that they have an active library card indicating that the vast majority of the sample are familiar with Brampton Library to some degree.