Appendix XI – Communicating Study Results

Research studies achieve their highest value when their findings are appropriately and effectively conveyed to all stakeholders. The present study uses quantitative techniques to establish a value for public library services in the state of Florida. This question is one of interest for two primary reasons: 1) the growing concerns of the public in how their tax money is invested on their behalf by the government; and 2) the present economic crisis shrinking of state and local government coffers. Thus, conveying the message that Florida’s public libraries generate substantial returns on the public dollars invested becomes crucially important as it will allow both public and governments alike to make informed and knowledgeable decisions on fiscal spending issues.

There are many methods that may be used to spread the word about the benefits of Florida public libraries. The table below outlines these methods as well as their function and target audience.

Non-Profit Communication Vehicles

Some of these methods would work better for ROI study results than others, and use of many of them would depend on whether funding is available for communicating results.

In general, study results should be incorporated into regular communications to funders and potential donors. Recommendations specifically for public libraries taken from Public Libraries and the Internet 2006: Study Results and Findings include:

1. Establish a relationship with key local funding agencies. “You have made a mistake if the only time that you have seen local funding decision makers all year is when you come to the annual budget hearing with your hand out.”

2. Show up at county and city council meetings.

3. Be viewed as a contributing unit of city and county government (even if the library is separately funded).

4. Be proactive; do not wait for opportunity to knock, seek it out.

5. Find out what other local government agencies’ problem areas are and make the library part of their solution.

6. Join local business organizations and involve the library in their work.

7. Seek out opportunities to present the library, its services and its accomplishments to local community groups.

Results from this study are being posted on a website developed specifically for the purpose of communicating the results to a wide audience. This site can be referenced on public library websites and its URL included in printed materials. It is also recommended that libraries use as many of the free methods of communicating these results as possible in order to cover the broadest spectrum of Florida residents.

Additional material for library advocacy is available at http://trainingdesk.elsevier.com/library-advocacy-toolkit (link will open in new window).