The results of the Friends Foundation’s first membership survey reveal information about how members view the organization, how and why they joined, and what they would like for the organization to consider doing in the future. 

“Having this information will help us know how to better meet the needs and expectations of our members and how to proceed to grow the organization and continue to build support for our libraries,” explained John Butterfield, Friends’ president.

Highlights of the results include:

• • • Nearly all respondents, 99 percent, indicated they joined the Friends to support Worthington libraries. Ten percent cited book sales event previews as a reason for joining, followed by discounted rates for attendance at author events (6 percent) and Books and Brews (5 percent).

• • • Asked how they felt the organization was doing in fulfilling its mission – supporting the library and its staff, being an advocate for strong public funding and engaging the community in Friends’ activities – nearly half of the respondents, 47 percent, indicated excellent with 38 percent citing good. Four percent said fair, and 12 percent didn’t know

• • • The top three ways that respondents learned about the Friends were book sales, a library print newsletter or a brochure at the library. 

• • • Regarding Friends’ activities that members participated in, book sales were cited by two-thirds of respondents, followed by the community breakfast (33 percent), Summer Reading Program (30 percent), a visit to the Reading with Friends sculpture (28 percent), Books and Brews (27 percent) and an author event (25 percent).

• • • Twenty-two respondents expressed an interest in learning more about volunteer opportunities related to book sales, communications/marketing, membership, development and fundraising or Books and Brews. If you would also like to learn about volunteering, contact [email protected].

• • • Asked if they would be willing to increase their membership level if there were different incentives associated with each category, nearly half of respondents were uncertain. One-third were not interested; 18 percent would consider it. Currently there are five membership categories, with annual donations ranging from $25 to $250. Benefits are the same for all. 

• • • Nearly 80 percent of respondents weren’t interested in making a monthly/automatic contribution rather than an annual membership contribution. 

The survey was conducted between April 28 and May 14. Twenty-seven percent of the membership participated in the survey. Seventy-five percent of the respondents were 65 years old or older; 18 percent were between 45 and 64; and 10 percent, 44 and under.  Eighty-eight percent did not have children younger than 18 residing with them.

Seventy-seven percent of the respondents use the Old Worthington Library branch regularly, followed by the Northwest Library at 23 percent and the Worthington Park Library at 6 percent.