Library Development · 17
Survey Questions and Responses
The SPEC survey on Library Development was designed by Karlene Noel Jennings, Director of
Library Development, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary and Jos Wanschers,
Development Officer, Libraries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology along with the support and input
of those present at the 2005 annual meeting of DORAL at Columbia University. The concept and original
announcement concerning this project was shared at the 2005 ALADN Conference in New Orleans.
[Over the past decade or more, those active in library development have loosely organized themselves
in two professional organizations: DORAL (Development Officers of Research and Academic Libraries)
and ALADN (Academic Library Advancement and Development Network). These two organizations
provide educational opportunities for those interested in library development and also discussion
forums for library development issues and ideas.] These results are based on data submitted by 90 of
the 123 ARL member libraries (73%) by the deadline of April 20, 2006. The survey’s introductory text
and questions are reproduced below, followed by the response data and selected comments from the
respondents.
The term “library development” conjures several different meanings for library professionals. For some, library development
refers to the building of library collections for others, it is any activity related to building the library, itself. For the purposes of
this survey, library development refers to the strategic raising of financial support to benefit the needs and priorities related to
programs, facilities, projects, and services within a research library. Over the past twenty years, library development has become
increasingly more specialized. Depending upon the institution, library development can include annual giving, major giving,
deferred giving, corporation and foundation relations (of which grant writing may be a component), public (and/or external)
relations, event management, and other services.
Presently, the library community does not well understand what structures and resources are necessary for a successful library
development program and how this library development program fits in the institution’s overall development structure and
within the library leadership. This survey is designed to investigate the staffing, reporting relationships, and duties of library
development programs in ARL member libraries. The results of this survey will provide a snapshot of library development
programs in research libraries and provide a baseline for institutions as they work to create, refine, or advocate for library
development programs in their institutions.
Survey Questions and Responses
The SPEC survey on Library Development was designed by Karlene Noel Jennings, Director of
Library Development, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary and Jos Wanschers,
Development Officer, Libraries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology along with the support and input
of those present at the 2005 annual meeting of DORAL at Columbia University. The concept and original
announcement concerning this project was shared at the 2005 ALADN Conference in New Orleans.
[Over the past decade or more, those active in library development have loosely organized themselves
in two professional organizations: DORAL (Development Officers of Research and Academic Libraries)
and ALADN (Academic Library Advancement and Development Network). These two organizations
provide educational opportunities for those interested in library development and also discussion
forums for library development issues and ideas.] These results are based on data submitted by 90 of
the 123 ARL member libraries (73%) by the deadline of April 20, 2006. The survey’s introductory text
and questions are reproduced below, followed by the response data and selected comments from the
respondents.
The term “library development” conjures several different meanings for library professionals. For some, library development
refers to the building of library collections for others, it is any activity related to building the library, itself. For the purposes of
this survey, library development refers to the strategic raising of financial support to benefit the needs and priorities related to
programs, facilities, projects, and services within a research library. Over the past twenty years, library development has become
increasingly more specialized. Depending upon the institution, library development can include annual giving, major giving,
deferred giving, corporation and foundation relations (of which grant writing may be a component), public (and/or external)
relations, event management, and other services.
Presently, the library community does not well understand what structures and resources are necessary for a successful library
development program and how this library development program fits in the institution’s overall development structure and
within the library leadership. This survey is designed to investigate the staffing, reporting relationships, and duties of library
development programs in ARL member libraries. The results of this survey will provide a snapshot of library development
programs in research libraries and provide a baseline for institutions as they work to create, refine, or advocate for library
development programs in their institutions.
