Results of Zogby Polls Support Libraries

In the past year and a half, two Zogby polls were completed which show astounding support for libraries by the people of New York State.  This information is critically important for those in the library community who are working to seek increases in state and local aid to libraries.

In October of 2002, the Zogby pollsters asked respondents how willing they would be to increase their taxes to improve support for libraries.  The response was more than 75%.   Across all geographic regions, and from all segments of the population regardless of income, gender, or age, people were willing to support increased taxes if it meant increases in library funding. 

Just about a year ago (January, 2002), Zogby did another poll about libraries.  In that poll, 89% of respondents indicated that it was important that state government provide more funding for libraries.  Of all the respondents to that poll, more than half (52%) indicated that it was very important that state government provide more funding for libraries. 

When asked how important the library was to their community, 95% of respondents said their library was important to them.  71% of all the respondents to this poll said the library was very important to them.