3/30/10 OLC Membership Survey Results
The OLC would like to thank the 575 members who completed the recent Individual membership survey and the 126 library administrators who completed the OLC's Institutional membership survey. The surveys were conducted to determine the value of current as well as some possible future member services and benefits. The results of both surveys have been compiled and reviewed by the OLC Membership Task Force. The Task Force will be looking at various membership dues structures that may be appropriate to generate the revenue necessary to support the valued services.
Highlights of the Individual membership survey results include:
the three most important services the OLC provides to individual members include: (1) Information on issues impacting public libraries and OLC activities; (2) State and federal government advocacy; and (3) Professional development and training opportunities for library staff, including online education.
the three most important forms of communications provided by the OLC to library administrators include: (1) OLC Web site; (2) E-mail updates; and (3) Access.
The top three sources of professional development and training include: (1) OLC; (2) Regional library systems; and (3) The State Library of Ohio.
the top three professional development/ training formats provided by the OLC are: (1) Subject-Specific Conferences (e.g., adult services, children's services, etc.); (2) Workshops; and (3) One-Day Multi-Subject Conferences.
89% of the respondents rate their membership in the OLC as either very valuable or somewhat valuable.
Highlights of the Institutional membership survey results include:
the three most important services the OLC provides to libraries are: (1) State and federal government advocacy; (2) Information and updates on public library funding; and (3) Legal opinions/initial legal review.
the three most important forms of communications provided by the OLC to library administrators include: (1) E-mail updates; (2) This Week; and (3) OLC Web site.
the libraries' top three responses to funding reductions have been: (1) Reduced hours/ days of operation; (2) Reduced materials; and (3) Workforce reductions.
the top three possible new services libraries would like to see provided by the OLC include: (1) Levy campaign consultation; (2) Fundraising/development; and (3) Crisis communications consultation - but, at best, only half the libraries are willing to pay extra for these services.
96% of the respondents rate their membership in the OLC as either very valuable or somewhat valuable.
View results of the Institutional survey 
and the Individual survey, including comments and responses.
