The MidContinental Region encourages member input on all aspects of Regional programming. Two formal mechanisms have been put in place to provide members opportunities to provide feedback, recommendations, comments and to let the Region know about the ways Members work and the kinds of support they want. Formal reports are posted for formal input solicitations.

Member input along with the data derived from the Network Data Inventory were used to inform programming in the Region. Results of the 2005 Network Data Inventory have been compared with the 2002 Inventory to ensure that Region staff are aware of shifts in attitudes, services, and member needs. The RML notes many gains throughout the region - in access to electronic resources, outreach and training activities, and awareness of RML, NNLM and NLM resources and services. The RML notes with concern the loss of personnel in hospital libraries - both at the professional and non-professional levels.

Network Member Questionnaires

A paper questionnaire was sent to 216 (130 hospital, 86 academic and other libraries) Network members in the Fall of 2002. The responses were used to establish baseline data for the region - who are our members, what resources do they have available to them, what kinds of teaching and outreach activities do they do, how do they address their continuing education needs, and what services and programs of the RML and the NLM do they use and find valuable. A followup inventory was completed in late 2005 and a third in early 2009.

Reports of the results of the questionnaires for 2002, 2005 and 2008 are available for download. A separate report was written for 2002 discussing responses from hospital librarians and is available as well.

• 2008 Network Member Questionnaire Results.
• This report discusses responses from academic, hospital and other organization library Network members. 130 (64%) of 203 Network members responsed to the questionnaire
• 2005 Network Member Questionnaire Results.
  The report discusses responses from academic, hospital, and other organization library Network members. 147 (79%) of 186 member libraries responded to this questionnaire.
• 2002 Network Member Questionnaire Results.
  This report discusses responses from academic, hospital, and other organization library Network members to the questionnaire sent in 2002. 42% of academic/other and 66% of hospital Network members responded for a total response rate of 56% (122 out of 216).
• 2002 Hospital Network Member Questionnaire Results.
  This report discusses responses from hospital library Network members to the 2002 questionnaire. Hospital libraries comprised 60% of Network membership in 2002. The concerns of hospital librarians, the difficulties facing these organizations and their unique requirements were reasons for analyzing their data both as members in the Region and as a separate response group.

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Focus Groups

Focus groups were held with Network members from health sciences libraries around the region in Spring/Summer, 2003 and again in Spring 2006. A third round of focus groups for health sciences librarians in Network members institutions is planned for 2009-2010. Public librarians participated in a series of focus groups in 2008.

Reports of the Focus Groups are available for download.

• 2010 Medical Library Network Member Focus Groups Report
  The 2010 Network Member focus groups addressed current issues in the health care landscape and the potential impact on medical libraries. Comments from focus group participants addressed how medical librarians spend their time, changes they expect will affect their institutions, how those changes will affect the library, and what the RML can do to support them. The sessions were conducted for the first time using Adobe Connect, allowing more Network members to participate. This report looks at the discussions and draws conclusions from the very rich comments captured in each session. NN/LM MCR staff reviewed the report for implications for RML activities and services. Eighteen action items are included in the Conclusions section of the report.
• 2008 Public Library Focus Groups Report
  To better understand the role public libraries play in connecting consumers with health information, the NN/LM MCR held a series of focus groups. Public librarians in five states in the region met using teleconferencing software to respond to questions posed by a group facilitator. The responses gleaned from these sessions will be used by the NN/LM MCR to understand the current practices of public librarians, identify the support they need, and to develop programs that respond to those needs and practices.
• 2006 Network Member Focus Groups Report.
  As in 2003, comments from focus group participants covered a range of themes and topics, most prompted by the interview questions and some raised spontaneously by network members. Participants shared their perceptions of the RML programs and staff initiatives, and comments reveal some issues and concerns that merit RML attention. Many comments offered provide evidence of the benefits to regional libraries from RML programs and services. 15 indicators for RML action were identified.
• 2003 Network Member Focus Groups Report.
  Comments from focus group participants covered a range of themes and topics, some prompted by the interview questions and others raised spontaneously by network members. Many comments indicated the importance of continuing the array of RML services and identified needs for new and expanded programs. Overall, comments reflected a positive evaluation of the RML; participant comments also allow an assessment of the status of libraries in the regional network. 16 indicators for RML action were identified.

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Other Feedback

Periodically the NN/LM MCR solicits feedback from Network members on specific topics and the reports of those activities are posted here.

Reports of the Focus Groups are available for download.

• 2011 NN/LM MCR Communication Audit Report