This month, I’m sharing some data from our first annual member survey conducted this spring with the Indiana University Center for Survey Research (IUCSR). Our goal was simple: find out how well we’re delivering on the four key strategic priorities in our current strategic plan so we can use that feedback to help guide where we put our time and resources. Our key strategic priorities are Engagement and Collaboration, Invest in Innovation, Strengthen and Support, and Awareness and Accountability. 

Before I share what we learned, I want to say thank you to everyone who responded to the survey. Whether you answered every question or just left us a comment, your input directly shapes decisions at MCLS. This piece is a high-level look at the results. If you’d like to know more, ask me at garrisons@mcls.org.  

Who responded? 

• 443 of the 1,926 member contacts we invited responded — a 23% response rate. 

• About three-fourths of respondents work at Michigan libraries and one-fourth at Indiana libraries. 

• Roughly 7 in 10 respondents work at public libraries and 1 in 4 at academic libraries, with the remainder from school and special libraries (hospital, law, museum, etc.). 

• Libraries of every size were represented: 23% serve populations of 5,000 or fewer; 37% serve 5,001–25,000; 18% serve 25,001–50,000; and 22% serve 50,001 or more. 

• Respondents wear many hats: 53% selected Administration and 40% Public/User Services as one of their roles, followed by Technical Services (35%), Collections/eResources (27%), Resource Sharing (19%), and Systems/Technology (17%). 

Where we’re strong 

• Trust and accountability are high. 95% of respondents said their library trusts MCLS to provide quality services and considers us trustworthy; 89% consider us accountable. Those ratings were consistent across libraries of various sizes. 

• We’re providing connection. 80% agreed MCLS gives them opportunities to connect with others in the profession, and 77% agreed we give them opportunities to engage. Smaller libraries rated us higher on connection and engagement than larger ones did. 

• We help libraries fulfill their missions. 89% agreed MCLS has provided their library with resources to succeed, and 86% also agreed MCLS has helped them build and strengthen their professional knowledge and skills (again, with smaller libraries rating us higher than larger ones). 

• Staff interactions are a bright spot. 85% agreed MCLS staff have been prompt, professional, and attentive. Some respondents emphasized the personal approach our staff take in visits and other interactions. 

Some areas for growth 

Only 56% agreed they have a greater awareness of the value of library consortia than a year ago (35% were neutral), and among the smaller group of TALK-subscribing libraries who responded (n=23), just 43% currently see TALK as valuable, with many citing limited staff time to promote it to families. Both are clear opportunities for us to keep telling our story and supporting implementation. 

What you told us you value 

When asked what they value about MCLS, members most often pointed to training and professional development (83 mentions), the purchasing power and discounts that come from being part of a consortium (46), and the MCLS staff themselves (38), followed by networking, MeLCat, and shared/negotiated resources. 

Where you told us we can improve 

The top themes were: expanding training topics and formats (31 mentions), increasing awareness of everything MCLS offers (24), tailoring outreach for specific library types and locations such as school and small academic libraries (19), improving documentation and communication (17), and bringing back more in-person gatherings (14). A number of members also asked us to push harder on vendor pricing and negotiations, and some also mentioned generative AI. 

Stories of impact 

75 respondents took the time to share a story about MCLS’s impact. The most common threads were classes and professional development (30 mentions), benefits to patrons and communities (23), expanded access to books and content through MeLCat and RIDES (30 combined), and cost savings passed on to your library.  

A note on methodology 

IUCSR designed and administered this survey online using Qualtrics from April 14 to May 16, 2026, inviting 1,926 contacts across our member libraries. We received 443 usable responses (23% AAPOR response rate), and the average completion time was about 8 minutes. IUCSR reviewed the data for quality and coded open-ended responses into themes; a second analyst checked that coding for consistency. Because subgroup sample sizes are sometimes small, we see breakdowns by library size, type, and state as exploratory rather than statistically definitive. 

Thank you, and let’s keep talking 

Thanks again to everyone who responded to our first annual member survey. Your feedback already gives us a clearer picture of where we’re delivering well and where we need to focus. We’ll use these results alongside our strategic plan objectives to guide our work in the year ahead. As you’ll know from other MCLS communication, we already have some things in the works like our fall member annual event that will help us deliver on what you’re asking for.  

As always, I’d love to hear from you. If you have ideas for how we can boost our survey response rate next year, or any questions for me as Executive Director, please contact me directly at garrisons@mcls.org or 517-489-4071.

Executive Director’s note: I used Claude Pro to help me analyze data from our 2026 member survey report from IUCSR and draft this month’s newsletter piece. IUCSR deidentified the survey data before sending us their report. Claude Pro does not have access to any survey data for generative AI training purposes. Ask me any questions you may have about this piece at garrisons@mcls.org.  

Funding for MeL is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.