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Marist Institute Poll Shows Powerful Public Support for Library Services

Dr. Lee Miringoff, Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, conducted a poll from October 27 through 29, 2003. The objective of the poll was to gather information on what library services are important to the public and how willing people are to approve extra tax monies for libraries to obtain those services.

"The Public Library: A National Survey" confirms and updates the findings of two Zogby International polls done for the New York Library Association in 2002 and a statewide survey conducted for the Regents Commission on Library Services in 1999.

The Marist poll, consisting of 1,004 telephone interviews, reported these findings:

• How valuable is having access to a public library in your community? 67% very valuable; 27% valuable.
• Do you support or oppose an increase in taxes to support public library services in your community? 31% strongly support; 32% support.
• How much would you be willing to pay in added taxes each year to support public library services in your community? Average tax increase Americans are willing to pay: $49.
• When rating library services within the community, respondents identified the following priorities:
  • reading programs for children
  • open hours on evenings and weekends
  • computers for public use
  • homework help centers
  • programs for senior citizens
  • staff to help with computers
  • access to reference help by phone, fax, or email
  • access to other government services in the library building
  • cultural programs or exhibits
  • audio books on tape/CDs
  • indexing of local newspapers
  • rooms for community meetings
  • book discussion groups
  • movies or DVDs

A link to a PowerPoint presentation on the Marist poll is available on the Mid-Hudson Library System website at http://midhudson.org/funding/advocacy/Marist_Poll_2003.ppt.

The Marist poll data were weighted to reflect the population of the entire United States. The Zogby polls and the Regents Commission survey sampled New York State residents, and in many cases showed even greater support for libraries.

Results of Zogby Polls:

• 95% of respondents said their library was "important" to them. 71% said the library was "very important" to them.
• More than 75% of respondents were willing to increase their taxes to improve support for libraries (October 2002). Across all geographic regions, and from all segments of the population regardless of income, gender, or age, people were willing to support increased taxes if it meant increases in library funding.
• 89% of respondents felt it was "important" that state government provide more funding for libraries (January 2002). More than half (52%) said it was "very important" that state government provide more funding for libraries.

Briefly, the Regents Commission survey of 1,004 adults in April 1999 found the following:

• New Yorkers use their libraries in numbers well above the national average (73% of households).
• Local public libraries are very important to the quality of community life.
• Priorities include statewide access to library resources throughout the state; increased use of technology, including Internet access to their library from home; library programs in local community centers; database searching services; homework tutors for students; and non-English library programs.
• 67% of respondents would double financial support for libraries, increasing spending from the New York State average of $32.17 per capita to an average of $64.07. For more detailed information on the Regents Commission survey, go to
  http://www.nysl.nysed.gov:80/rcols/finalrpt.htm#Appendixb.

Such strong evidence of public support for libraries is critically important for those who are working to convince our elected officials of the value and importance of libraries and the need for increased aid to libraries through the "New Century Libraries" legislative initiative.

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