CLEL members are very responsive
The survey had a completion rate of 85.8%. 127 of 148 respondents completed the entire survey. 21 respondents completed only a part of the survey.
They overwhelmingly work in public libraries
Over 90% of respondents work in public libraries.
They are mostly suburban
Nearly half of respondents described their communities as “suburban”. Nearly 30% live in “urban” or “inner city” communities. Only 22% are in “rural” communities.
They work with all ages
Most respondents reported working with preschoolers, but respondents reported interacting with nearly all age groups, from infants to adults. Tweens and teens (12-18 years old) were the least-served age group at less than 40%.
About half have an MLS or MLIS degree
Just over half of respondents reported having a MLS or MLIS degree. About 6% of respondents said they were in the process of earning their MLS/MLIS degree.
Most got their degrees more than 10 years ago
Only about 30% of respondents got their library degree less than 6 years ago, or are still working toward their degree. 42% got their degree more than 10 years ago.
Coursework prepared them only somewhat
16% of respondents said their coursework prepared them “very well” for the early literacy responsibilities of their current roles. 59% said their degrees prepared them only “somewhat,” and 25% said their degrees did not prepare them “at all” for their early literacy work.
About 1/3rd get lots of professional development support
38% of respondents said they get “training and resources galore” from their organization for professional development related to early literacy. 7% said they get “hardly any.”
Most CLEL members joined less than 6 years ago
28% of respondents who are CLEL members joined 1 year ago or less, and 39% joined 2-5 years ago. Only 8% have been members for more than 10 years.
Word-of-mouth is the most common way respondents hear about CLEL
Almost half of respondents said they first heard of CLEL from a colleague or coworker.
CLEL provides members with information they can use
Most survey respondents reported attending the CLEL conference, and/or using and applying in their work information gleaned from CLEL resources.
Email and our website are important ways to communicate
More than 80% of respondents said they rely on emails to keep in touch with CLEL, and more than 60% used the CLEL website.
CLEL members find membership pretty satisfying
More than three quarters of survey respondents said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with CLEL membership.
They find CLEL to be a valuable organization
Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements
How important is it to you that CLEL does the following:
CLEL is considering many potential future projects and initiatives. How interested would you be if CLEL supported:
Members want to learn more about early literacy
View the full 2020 Member Survey results here.
