Library Funding Support Quiz Who supports the library and Why?

1. Library Funding Support QuizWho supports the library and Why? Sharon Morris Colorado State Library Loveland Public Library August 22, 2008

2. 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

3. Those who use the library most are the most likely to vote for increased library funding. True or False

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Demographic data (age, gender, income level, etc.) are not significant indicator of support. True or False

8. 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

9. Public awareness of the full range of services offered by a public library is important to support during a library election. True or False

10. 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

11. Voter perceptions of the public librarian have a strong influence on funding support. True or False

12. 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

13. Elected officials are often the first to develop new library initiatives. True or False

14. 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

15. Which of the following is advice given by elected officials on how to get more library funding? • Stress the library’s return on investment (ROI) to the community. • Build strategic partnerships. • Engage voters in the campaign. • Stress the broad appeal of the library.

16. All of the above + • Stress the library’s return on investment (ROI) to the community. • Build strategic partnerships. • Engage voters in the campaign. • Stress the broad appeal of the library. 3-12

17. 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