Transcript Slide 1 - CE Coordinator`s Forum

Library Funding Support Quiz
Who supports the library and Why?
Sharon Morris
Colorado State Library
Loveland Public Library
August 22, 2008
Based on the 2008 OCLC report
“From Awareness to Funding: A study of
library support in America”
http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation
Those who use the library most
are the most likely to vote for
increased library funding.
True or False
False
“A voter’s willingness to support increased
library funding is not driven, or limited, by
library use. In fact, the advocacy research
found that there is little correlation
between frequency of library visits and
willingness to increase funding for
libraries.”
7-2
Providing statistics on library use
and promoting the library’s role
as access to information are
effective strategies for getting
more library funding.
True or False
Not True
“Belief that the library is a transformational force in
people’s lives is directly related to their level of
funding support.”
4-12
“The most likely library funding supporters do not
view the library as a source of information, but
rather as a source for transformation.”
Both personal and community level transformation.
4-13
Demographic data (age, gender,
income level, etc.) are not
significant indicator of support.
True or False
True
“Library funding behavior is driven by
attitudes and beliefs, not by demographics.
Voters’ perceptions of the role of the library
plays in their lives and in their communities
are more important determinants of their
willingness to increase funding than their
age, gender, race, political affiliation, life
stage, or income.”
4-1
Public awareness of the full
range of services offered by a
public library is important to
support during a library election.
True or False
False “Unfamiliarity with the full range of library
services does not dampen the positive
attitudes about library funding held by
Probable and Super Supporters…
Familiarity with the full range of library
services was not a determinant of library
funding support for the library’s top funding
supporters.”
4-4
Voter perceptions of the public
librarian have a strong influence
on funding support.
True or False
True
“Perceptions of the public librarian have a strong
influence on funding support.”
The passionate librarians have the following
attributes:
 “True advocate for lifelong learning.
 “Passionate about making the library relevant.
 “Knowledgeable about every aspect of the
library.
 “Well-educated.
 “Knowledgeable about the community.”
4-8
Elected officials are often the first
to develop new library initiatives.
True or False
False – “Be Proactive”
“Although elected officials recognize the
need for increased library funding, they
are rarely, if ever, the first to push for
increased funding support for libraries.
The new library projects they mentioned
were typically initiated by a passionate and
committed library director, a small group of
voters or by private groups including
Friends of the Library organizations.” 3-12
Which of the following is advice given
by elected officials on how to get
more library funding?
A. Stress the library’s return on investment (ROI)
to the community.
B. Build strategic partnerships.
C. Engage voters in the campaign.
D. Stress the broad appeal of the library.
All of the above +
A. Stress the library’s return on investment
(ROI) to the community.
B. Build strategic partnerships.
C. Engage voters in the campaign.
D. Stress the broad appeal of the library.
3-12
Summary
Effective library advocacy and funding campaigns include
the following messages:
 The library makes a transformational difference in
individual lives.
 The library makes a transformational difference for the
community. Vital.
 The library staff members are passionate, proactive, and
knowledgeable.
 Economic value and “return on investment” for
individuals and community needs to be very clear.
6-11