Community Research Service

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

For nearly 50 years, the Palm Beach County Library System has offered premium research services to the public. In FY17 alone, staff at 18 locations answered 151,087 directional, ready reference, and research questions. At the same time, however, many government entities chose to outsource or altogether forgo much-needed research due to budget constraints. Recognizing that the Library’s specialty in research services was a seamless fit with County government’s need for high quality research, the creation of a new model of service was created, called “Community Research Service.” Its goal is three-fold: 1) fill in research gaps that can improve funding outcomes, 2) assist decision-makers in improving results through sound judgment, and 3) ultimately, improving the quality of life for all Palm Beach County residents. By pairing trained researchers equipped with sophisticated research tools and government officials with research needs, the Library is able to fulfill a gap that oftentimes means the difference between a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens and a government that lacks information needed to progress into the future.