Mind the Gap Addressing the Perception Gap in Libraries Important - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mind the Gap Addressing the Perception Gap in Libraries’ Important Work Luke Brown, Southwest Georgia Regional Library System Nancy Condon, Uncle Remus Regional Library System Katherine Gregory, Bartram Trail Regional Library System Nicole Klein, Bartow County Library System Lauren Mullins, Middle Georgia Regional Library System

What is the Perception Gap? ● The Perception Gap is defined as the “gap between what you mean to communicate and what is actually communicated” (Loehr). ? !

What Does It Mean for Libraries? We encounter a perception gap between our important work, what we actually do on a day-to-day basis and big picture, and lingering stereotypes of what the public thinks we do. vs. vs.

Perception Gap: Funding & Mission ● Voters support libraries and want libraries ● Voters may not fully understand how libraries are funded “From Awareness to Funding,” OCLC “Quick Look Infographic FY2018,” GPLS

Perception Gap: Understanding Users ● Library users may not be who funders think ● Strong nostalgia factor ● Discrepancy between library users’ behaviors and beliefs “Libraries and Learning” Pew Research Center; “Libraries at the Crossroads” Pew Research Center

What Does the Perception Gap Look Like? What What What stakeholders What gets libraries do libraries think funded need libraries do

Falling into the Gap ● Invisible work = Invisible funding ● Perception of library as an amenity ● Convenient target

The Goal Perception of what libraries Perception of do meets the reality! Reality of what libraries what libraries do do

Case Studies: Libraries Experiencing Local Funding Shortages ● Middle Georgia Regional Library Macon-Bibb County ○ FY 2019 ○ ● Cobb County Public Library System Acworth, Atlanta, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, ○ Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna FY 2009, 2011, 2019 ○ Image Source: Right Source Marketing

Navigating the Gap: Lessons Learned from Case Studies ● Important to focus on fact, not emotion ● Communicate with funding agencies ● Reach out to “Silent Majority” ● Formulate a contingency plan

Narrowing the Gap: Lessons Learned from Case Studies ● Continue to communicate with funding agencies ● Be proactive with funding agencies ● Keep the ball rolling: visibility ● Strong community partnerships

Tips & Tricks ● Know who funds what & why ● Be prepared to talk specifics ● Facts first ● Clarity & tact ● Non-threatening & respectful Marshes of Glynn brochure

Toolkit of Best Practices, Tips, and Tricks Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS): https://georgialibraries.org/resources-for-libraries/ Statistics: “By the Numbers” and “Quick Look” infographics, https://georgialibraries.org/statistics/ Communication: brochures, resource toolkits, elevator speeches, https://georgialibraries.org/communications/ Library Laws: https://georgialibraries.org/library-laws/ Economic Impact: Swiss Army Librarian, http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/librarycalculator/valuecalc_popup.html ALA, http://www.ala.org/tools/research/librariesmatter/economic-impact-libraries Urban Libraries Council, https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/46006/1001075-Making-Cities-Stronger.PDF Publication tools: Canva, https://www.canva.com/ and LibraryAware, https://www.libraryaware.com/ Professional Tools: Public Library Association, http://www.ala.org/pla/resources/tools Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices: https://tinyurl.com/mindtheperceptiongap

References American Library Association. n.d. “Identify Key Stakeholders.” Accessed September 24, 2019. http://www.ala.org/everyday- advocacy/engage/identify-key-stakeholders Horrigan, John B. “Libraries 2016” Pew Research Center, September 2016 Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/2016/Libraries-2016/ Horrigan, John. “Libraries at the Crossroads: Pew Research Center, September 2015, Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/09/15/2015/Libraries-at-crossroads/ Institute of Museum and Library Services. n.d. “Public Libraries Survey.” Accessed September 24, 3019. https://www.imls.gov/research- evaluation/data-collection/public-libraries-survey Lee Rainie, “Libraries and Learning.” Pew Research Center, April 2016, Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/04/07/libraries- and-learning/ Loehr, Anne. 2014. “Why Communication Fails and How to Fix It: The Perception Gap.” Accessed September 24, 2019. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-communication-fails-a_b_5627692 Mock, Brentin. 2019. Accessed September 24, 2019. “Why Detroit Residents Pushed Back Against Tree Planting.” https://www.citylab.com/environment/2019/01/detroit-tree-planting-programs-white-environmentalism-research/579937/ OCLC and American Library Association. 2018. From Awareness to Funding: Voter Perceptions and Support of Public Libraries in 2018 . Dublin, OH: OCLC. https://www.oclc.org/research/awareness-to-funding-2018.html