In 2023, Brooklyn Public Library launched a research project to collect and study cardholder signup policies from public libraries across the nation. The project aims to identify the range of policies and procedures which govern cardholder access as well as the rationale used for establishing these policies. Research findings have been summarized in a report made available to the library field beginning spring 2024. Join us for a discussion about the inspiration for this study, how the research was conducted, and key findings and takeaways using data from more than 1,800 public libraries across the United States.  

Presented by: Amy Mikel, Director of Customer Experience, Brooklyn Public Library; and Emily Thomas, Senior Director, Research and Consulting, Avenue M Group

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Related resources and links

• Library Card Study, see the research and access data
  
• Cardholder Signup: Collecting and Analyzing How Patrons Get Library Cards, WebJunction article
• Books Unbanned and teen testimonials in “In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned” (pdf) 
  
• Shared in chat, one library accepts the FaithAction ID if folks don't have government issued IDs