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Leveraging National Data to Advocate Locally

PEW CENTER REPORTS

Created our own infographics

Presented at Wisconsin Library Conferences

Focus groups, interviews across the state, surveys at conference

Grounded Theory analysis

http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/2013/01/pew-internet-2013-01-22-lib-services-2-011.jpg

COMPARE

ADVOCATE

ASSESSPLAN

SERVE

CAAPS

of the respondents in the Pew survey say they use the computers at the library or the WIFI connection to go online.

26%

Is this truefor you?

COMPAREI think to be able to take this information and put your library in context on a much more, larger picture is good, and compare, "Hey, we're doing this great, but in the big picture ... either "We can do better," or, "We're right in there with everybody else.”

We don't haveenough computers. I mean we have 12 public stations

and we’re a rural library and they are always full 100% of

the time. We used to have 19, but we couldn’t get enough

funding to keep on replacing the ones that died.

of Americans say libraries should “definitely” move some printed books and stacks out of public locations to free up space for tech centers, cultural events, etc.

20%

Is this true for you?

ASSESSThere's not enough space. There are too many books.

You know, the majority of the people who are using the library, … want to use the internet … and they're shoulder to shoulder. That is not what they deserve!

And in order to make room forthem … we need to get rid of some of the shelves.

They perceive libraries as books....Is that how they are using them, I

don't think so.

say that they know all or most of the services their libraries offer now.

22%

Is this truefor you?

ADVOCATEI'm like ‘Oh, Look at this report. How great is that report?’ And then later down the road, when we're actually trying to plan something or redo something or just something, I can say, ‘Oh do you remember in the report it said this, maybe we should go this way?

The Pew stuff would give it more

teeth and that we're not just running amok

that we're following national trends and

we're keeping up with what is going on.

of adults over age 65 in the PEW survey stated that the library is an important part of the community even though only 20% visit the library at least once a month.

93%

Is this true for you?

PLANYou never think about that when you're thinking about [planning a new dual-use building] and you're with the police ... Is this going to scare my patrons away?

I think the important thing about

using statistics is that you use them carefully and you do it to tell a story because

people, they don't really care about statistics, and

they're meaningless out of context.

of the respondents in the PEW survey say they visit the library to attend a class, program or lecture for adults.

21%

Is this true for you?

SERVESome libraries are working hard to get beyond tea and crumpets programming. We're part of the

community. We can nolonger be the library that is passive, that sits back and

waits for people to come to us. We need to be reaching out.

We need to be pulling people in.

What do you think of the Pew Reports—are they useful for

you?

USEFUL?I think they are fantastic. No, I do. I love information. I love statistics. I love lists. I love people doing this for me. I love being able to look at trends and pull information out and say this is great people are reading books, yay! So yeah, I think it's cool. I thinkit’s important.

Meh.

Other Sources of StatisticsIMLS annual public library statisticsHarris polls@your library surveysPLAmetrics (costs!)Library Research Service’s collection of state statsParticipate in research yourself with the Public Library Collaboratory

Renee Bennett-KapusniakShannon Crawford BarniskisAdriana McCleerJennifer Thiele

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