ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 368/C&RL News M em bers shape ACRL’s future By Althea H. Jenkins Results o f the 1993 ACRL member survey I n fall 1993 the Association o f College and Research Libraries (ACRL) commissioned Research USA, Inc., to conduct a survey o f a sample o f its current personal members. The objectives o f the survey were to determine at­ titudes, opinions, and needs o f ACRL’s mem­ bers and to assess the effectiveness o f programs, services, and products as a basis for planning future direction for the association. This survey is similar to the one conducted in 1989, which allows for comparisons to identify trends for planning purposes. M ethodology Six hundred names were selected from the ACRL personal membership list on an nth name ba­ sis. On September 7, 1993, every name selected was mailed an advance notice postcard from Thomas A. Kirk, ACRL President, asking for members’ cooperation. On September 10, 1993, the four-page questionnaire was mailed to each name, together with a cover letter from Research USA, a one-dollar bill, and a stamped return envelope. Second and third mailings o f the ques­ tionnaire and envelopes were carried out on September 17, 1993, and October 19, 1993- By November 8, 1993, 459 questionnaires had been completed and returned. This represents a 77.7% response rate which, according to Research USA, is a very high rate o f return for a mail survey. To assure confidentiality, questionnaires were returned directly to Research USA. The questionnaire consisted o f 30 questions under six headings covering librarians, librar­ ies, and ACRL; current issues o f concern for librarians and the profession; membership ac­ tivities and programs; future membership pro­ grams and activities; critical issues for the future; and demographics. Seventeen o f the 30 questions al­ lowed for comparisons with the data collected from the 1989 survey. Most questions were close-ended and several required respondents to rate items by level o f importance. Tw o questions pro­ vided respondents the opportunity to make comments and suggestions. Profile of the typical m em ber The questions under the heading “About you, your organization, and ACRL” ad­ dressed such topics as the librarians’ places o f employment, involvement in ACRL and other organizations, budget responsibilities, and use o f electronic communications. Althea H. Jenkins is executive director o f ACRL; e-mail: althea.jenkins@ala.org mailto:althea.jenkins@ala.org June 1994/369 The typical ACRL member, “V er based on averages from the sur­ vey, is a Caucasian female. She is 47 years old, has been a member for 10 years, works as an admin­ istrator or a public/information librarian in a research/doctoral- granting university, and regularly reads C&RL News and C&RL. The survey further reveals that members are likely to belong to other library and higher educa­ tion organizations. Over two- thirds o f ACRL members belong to other ALA divisions and a ma­ jority belong to their state library association. The member is also likely to have served on an ACRL divisional committee or an ACRL section committee. Research/doctoral-granting universities (44.8%) and under­ graduate master’s degree univer­ sities (20.3%) are the employment categories for more than half of ACRL members. Four-year col­ leges (13-9%) and community/ junior colleges (9.7%) represent the next largest place o f employ­ ment (see Chart 1). The two most important rea­ sons given by members for be­ longing to ACRL are “to update knowledge o f library practice” (63.6%) and “to be professionally involved” (58.3%). Many members placed stron importance on receiving subscriptions to C&R News (45.6%) and C&RL (44.6%) and to “being abl to network with colleagues” (45%) (see Chart 2). Members were asked to identify the dolla amount of the library budget for which the were responsible, and those items that they wer involved in recommending or selecting for thei libraries. More than 17% are responsible for bud gets o f over $1 million; the average wa $986,000 and the median $119,500. Over three fourths (79-2%) make purchasing decision about books and serials. More than half are als involved in purchasing other items, such as da tabase services (57.3%), computer hardware software (59-7%), and supplies (50.1%). Communication has become electronic Nearly 9 out o f 10 ACRL members currentl have access to Bitnet or Internet. Members cur rently use Bitnet or Internet most often for elec g L e r y e r ­ s - s o ­ / . y ­ - y Important” Reasons for ACRL Membership ronic mail, for participation in listservs, and or telneting to remote computers. hanges since 1989 he new survey reveals several trends that have eveloped since 1989- Among these are: • The greatest number of members are still mployed in research/doctoral-granting univer­ ities. The number of ACRL members employed n four-year colleges has declined (-9.8%), while he number of members employed in commu­ ity colleges increased (+1.8%). • The greatest increases in type o f employ­ ent since 1989 occurred in collection devel­ pment (22%), bibliographic instruction (21%), nd public/information services (20%). • The number of years that members have een with ACRL is increasing, with the average in 993 being 10 years, representing a 2% increase in our years. t f C T d e s i t n m o a b 1 f 370/C&RL News • The ALA division with the largest num­ ber o f ACRL members in 1993 is RASD (31%). In 1989 ALCTS was the division with the largest number o f ACRL members (30%). The division with the greatest decline in ACRL members since 1989 is LITA with 18% in 1993 versus 25% in 1989, a 7% difference. • ACRL members have greater responsibil­ ity for purchasing decisions than in 1989- In addition to decisions about books, serials, da­ tabase services, supplies, furniture, and equip­ ment, they make decisions about document- delivery services, licensing services, computer hardware and software, automated systems, and audiovisual materials. • Members’ primary concerns in 1989 were serials pricing and access to information. In 1993 their concerns shifted to keeping current with technology and access to electronic communi­ cation. • Members’ rating o f ACRL’s activities, pro­ rams, services, and products followed a pat­ ern consistent with 1989. When rating the alue o f the 17 items listed in the question­ aire, greatest value was placed on two of CRL’s publications, C&RL News (57.2%) and &RL (56.3%). A majority (52.2%) also placed great value” on ACRL’s standards and guide­ ines (see Chart 3). • Over three-fourths o f the 1993 members ere interested in taking part in ACRL’s educa­ ional activities. The majority want these pro­ rams to help them update their knowledge bout existing and emerging networks and net­ orked resources and services, a departure from he 1989 response where the majority wanted rograms about management issues. • As was true in 1989, members identified ideotapes as the preferred off-site delivery for­ at for educational activities. g t v n A C “ l w t g a w t p v m June 1994/371 Leading Issues of Concern to Librarians • The male-female ratio widened, with fe males increasing their representation by 7 since 1989. • Reported ages show a move from th 35-44 age range to the 45-54 age range. Ju under half the members are in the latter group K e y issu es of concern to m em bers The survey solicited opinions about issues o concern to librarians and libraries. Seventee issues were identified, and respondents rate these from “very critical” to “not at all critical A majority o f the respondents identified as “ver critical” keeping current with technolog (79.8%), assisting faculty and students in ma ing use o f information resources (75.1%), an using electronic communications effectivel (68.7%) (see Chart 4). More than three-fourths (78.4%) o f the me bers responding replied that they were inte ested in taking part in ACRL educational activ ­ % e st . f n d .” y y k­ d y m­ r­ i­ ties in the future. Most wanted these activities to help them in the following ways: updating information on existing and emerging networks and networked resources and services (73.7%); providing increased understanding o f how vari­ ous disciplines are developing and using net­ worked information (59.3%); and planning ser­ vices for the networked environment (54.6%) (see Chart 6). They want the activity in their region (44%), at ALA Annual Conferences (39%), or at their state association conferences (38%). Among off-site delivery formats, they prefer vid­ eotapes (58.8%) or computer conferencing through e-mail and electronic bulletin boards (55.1%). The last section o f the survey dealt with is­ sues facing ACRL and academic libraries and librarians in the future. Tw o questions in this section solicited written comments and sugges­ tions about the “single most critical issue fac­ ing libraries and librarians within the next three 372/C&RL News W a y s in Which ACRL Educational Activities Should Help Members years,” and “what ACRL could do to help wit the issue.” More than 300 comments and sug gestions were made that were classified un der six topics: technological change, change in the profession, library education, profes sional development, library funding, and po sitioning the profession. The suggestion members made in response to what ACR could do to help with these issues sends clear message that they look to their profes sional organizations not only to provide lead ership, but to help them resolve the day-to day issues that confront them. S u m m ary an d conclusion As was true with the 1989 ACRL membershi survey, the 1993 survey provided the associa tion with information about members and thei needs, and confirmed that its programs and ser h ­ ­ s ­ ­ s L a ­ ­ - p ­ r ­ vices are valued, and that many membership needs are being met. This information will be used by the association for planning as the Board of Directors, its committees, sections, and chap­ ters x'eview, update, and develop current and new programs and services. It will also serve to inform ACRL’s colleagues (vendor community) about the membership. At the Midwinter planning session for the ACRL leadership a summary o f the survey re­ sults was distributed to participants and used as background information in discussing present and future direction for the associa­ tion. The Board will continue to use the survey results in setting its priorities and updating the Strategic Plan. The association is grateful to those who took the time to contribute answers and opinions. ■