Report explores level of libraries’ support
The Dublin, Ohio-based Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) has released a report on library funding across the nation. “From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America,” funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, also evaluates the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase library funding. The report says library funding support is only slightly related to library visitation; perception of libraries is important in determining support for funding; and voters are more likely to support tax increases to fund libraries that are “transformational” instead of “informational.” Overall, 37 percent of the voters surveyed said they would definitely support library referendums, ballot initiatives and bond measures, and another 37 percent said they probably would support library funding in the voting booth.
The entire report is available at www.oclc.org/reports/funding.