Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators

1. Maryland Association ofPublic Library Administrators Maryland Adult Survey Conducted September 2003 Potomac Incorporated Bethesda, Maryland

2. About Potomac Incorporated • Researching Maryland attitudes for 21 years • Frequent statewide and community surveys • The (Baltimore) Sun voter surveys since 1998 • Potomac Index, quality of life scorecard, for Greater Washington Board of Trade and Brookings • Issues: Traffic, Schools, Health Care, Housing, Economic Development, Charitable Giving • Experienced at public hearing testimony

3. Research Objectives • Survey Maryland residents on perceived value of public libraries • Look specifically at return on investment of government dollars in public libraries • Provide information pertinent to public sector funders of libraries

4. Methodology • Telephone survey • 1,700 adult residents sampled statewide • CATI-equipped phone center • Conducted September 11-25, 2003 • Maximum statewide sampling error ± 2.4% • Demographic weighting employed to balance sample • Minimum 50 interviews in all 24 jurisdictions

5. Methodology • Jurisdiction Sampling • 100 interviews in 10 “metro” jurisdictions • 14 remaining counties receive 50 interviews

6. Research Subject Matter • Rate local public services • Overall impressions of public libraries • Specific library job ratings • Economic development impacts • Public library funding • Library usage • Demographics

7. Research Findings Public Library Usage

8. Frequency of Use Median Times Used = 12 Q20. When was the last time that someone in your household visited a local public library in-person? Was it within the last week, the last couple months, last year, or longer ago than that?

9. On-Line Library Access Home Internet Penetration = 75% Q.22 Has anyone in your household ever accessed yourlocal public library’s resources on‑line?

10. Awareness of Library for Blind and Physically Handicapped Q.24 Have you ever heard of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,which is located in Baltimore?

11. Awareness of “Ask Us Now” 21% of those who have heard of Ask Us Now have used it. Q.25 Have you ever heard of a public library service called "Ask us Now?“

12. Rating Public Services

13. Schools’ “G.P.A.” 2.5 Q.3 Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, or Fail as a way to ratethe quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves,in your community, were graded in the same way. What grade would you givethe public schools in your community: A, B, C, D, or Fail?

14. Schools’ “G.P.A.” 2.5 Libraries’ Rating 3.3 Q.4E Using that same A through F scale, how would you rate each of these other services of your local government?…Public libraries?

15. Grading Local Services Q.3 Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, or Fail as a way to ratethe quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves,in your community, were graded in the same way. What grade would you givethe public schools in your community: A, B, C, D, or Fail? Q.4 Using that same A through F scale, how would you rate each of these other services of your local government?

16. Most Desired Community Asset Q.6 If you were moving into a new neighborhood, which of thesewould you most want to have on your own street? Q.6 If you were moving into a new community, which of thesewould you most want to have on your own street or road?

17. Most Desired Community Asset: Second Choice Q.7 What would be your second choice?

18. Most Desired Community Asset: Combined Q.6 If you were moving into a new neighborhood, which of thesewould you most want to have on your own street? Q.6 If you were moving into a new community, which of thesewould you most want to have on your own street or road? Q.7 And what would be your second choice?

19. Essential Service or Cultural Amenity? 81% of frequent library users say “essential service” Q.9 Turning now to public libraries specifically, are you more likely to think of your local public library as an essential service like a school, or more of a cultural amenity like an art gallery?

20. Public Library Services 43% of library non-users cannot name two services Q.10 Can you name two services that your local public library performs?

21. Public Library Job Ratings • Q.11 When you think about your local public library, would you say it doesa good job or could do a better job at each of these? • Having the information and materials you want or need • Being open when you want to visit • Having a branch close enough to your home or work • Providing knowledgeable staff who are courteous and efficient

22. Importance of Public Library Jobs • Q.12 I would like to read you that list again, and for each one please tell me ifit is very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you. • Having the information and materials you want or need0 • Being open when you want to visit • Having a branch close enough to your home or work • Providing knowledgeable staff who are courteous and efficient

23. Economic Development

24. Impact on Property Values Q.13 Do you think that having a public library located very close to your own home would: increase or decrease property values, or would it make no difference?

25. Trip Chaining Q.21 Do you often include other errands on your trips to the public library, or not?

26. Economic Anchor Q.14 Do you agree or disagree with this idea? If a public library moved into a community,it would help attract good businesses to the area.

27. Teaching Job Skills Q.15 And do you agree or disagree with this idea? Public libraries improve a communityby helping people learn new skills so they can get better jobs.

28. Lifelong Learning Q.15A Do you agree or disagree? Public libraries help people learn new thingsno matter what their age.

29. Public Library Funding

30. Good Investment of Tax Dollars Even 78% of library non-users see them as a good investment. Q.16 Generally, do you think public libraries are a good investment of your tax dollars,or do you think those taxes would be better spent in other ways?

31. Counties´ Investment Q.18 If you knew that public libraries throughout Maryland typically receiveless than 1 percent of a county’s budget, would you think this was enough,or would you think more money should be invested in public libraries?

32. State Investment Q.19 If you knew that public libraries in Maryland typically receive less than four tenths of one percent of the state's budget, would you think this was enough,or would you think more money should be invested in public libraries?

33. Conclusions

34. Marylanders use their public libraries in great numbers Rate public libraries at the very top of the list of public services Want larger collections and more accessible libraries As a community amenity, want to live near public libraries View their public library as “essential” Libraries have positive economic impact Solid investment of tax dollars Large majorities want more public money spent on libraries

35. The Result A major advocacy tool at both the local and state level

36. 2005 State Legislative Session HB 200 House 131-0 Senate 45-0 SB 421 House 135-0 Senate 47-0 Signed by Governor May 26, 2005 Provides for a multi year per capita increase to public libraries of $1 per capita each year for four years starting in July 2006 Doubles the total budget of the three regional libraries within fours years starting in July 2006

37. 2006 Legislation Session HB 1380 House 138-0 Senate 47-0 SB 709 House 134-0 Senate 47-0 $5 million annual capital funding for public libraries Will provide for the first time in the history of the state a dedicated stream of money for public library construction and renovation

38. Return on Investment(ROI) Cost of Potomac Study$57,500 Total per capita increase by 4th year - $15,012,790 additional per year Building and Renovations funding - $5,000,000 per annum. Total new state dollars for public libraries =$20,012,790

39. The End