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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to show how Californian libraries deliver value, by taking a preliminary value framework previously developed from a study of academic literature, and applying it to the public library landscape in California. A “bricolage” approach was used to develop an evidence-based framework of value and subsequently to gather data about Californians’ use of and attitudes about public libraries. The framework was developed through an extended literature review and applied across data gathered through a survey of residents, interviews with library stakeholders, a review of statistics on library usage, and a review of the outcomes of grant-funded programs in California public libraries. The most significant outcome of our project is a unique value proposition for California’s public libraries. These libraries deliver value for individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole. They provide opportunities and support for learning and knowledge development, health and wellbeing, community development, and economic development. Value is delivered through a unique combination of resources, people, and space. California’s public libraries are largely offering services that are valued by the public; however, public awareness of the range and nature of services offered remains lower than desired. Practitioners can use the evidence-based framework and the unique value proposition to better understand the aspects of their library services that offer most value to their communities, and to make more persuasive cases for library support. This paper is the first to use an evidence-based framework of value in assessing the impact of California’s public libraries.
Notes
1. See https://www.library.ca.gov/.
2. See ALA: http://www.ala.org/; Aspen: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/; IMLS: https://www.imls.gov/; Pew: https://www.pewresearch.org/.
4. “The survey was weighted to account for varying response rates across regions and key socio-demographic characteristics to ensure the findings are representative of the state’s population. Specifically, data weighting accounted for race, gender, education, income, and age, matching to population parameters using the most recent Current Population Survey data for California’s 18 years and above population.” (Institute for Social Research Citation2019).
5. See https://libraryliteracy.org/.
6. See https://www.nationalwellness.org/resource/resmgr/pdfs/sixdimensionsfactsheet.pdf; see also https://www.wellbeingpeople.com/2018/07/20/what-does-wellbeing-actually-mean/ and Dodge et al. (2012)
8. See https://lunchatthelibrary.org/.
9. See https://www.fema.gov/.
11. Public Library Association: see http://www.ala.org/pla/.
12. See https://webjunction.org/.
13. As exemplified by the Harwood Institute’s Turning Outward approach; see https://theharwoodinstitute.org/.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole is a library programs consultant at the California State Library. Previously, she was interim executive director at the California Library Association where she also led the California Summer Reading Program and the Lunch at the Library program. She received her MA and PhD in Librarianship from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Cheryl Stenström
Cheryl Stenström has worked as a reference librarian in a large urban library, a talking book producer, a public library consultant, and a public library CEO. After graduating from Queensland University of Technology’s PhD program in 2012, she began teaching full time at San Jose State University’s iSchool. She also continues to work as a Library Consultant, primarily in the area of organizational management. She’s a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s iSchool.