Enhancing Nonprofit Library Access: How Ypsilanti District Library Transformed Its Community Outreach Through Data

Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is more than just a book hub. It's a vital community center committed to improving nonprofit library access while serving the diverse needs of Ypsilanti, Michigan. With a mission rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion, YDL strives to reflect and uplift its community with outreach programs and targeted services that maximize nonprofit library access for all residents.

To deepen its impact and enhance nonprofit library access, YDL embarked on a journey to understand its service area and patrons on a more granular level. Ypsilanti District Library recognized the need to delve into the economic, educational, health, and social indicators of their patrons to reveal at-risk segments of the population and improve access across demographics. Armed only with a list of library card holders from multiple YDL branch libraries, Ypsilanti faced challenges in identifying the unique characteristics and needs of its community.

Ypsilanti, like many communities, grappled with disparities in access and representation. Without a clear understanding of the service area population, they risked inadvertently excluding those most in need of their services. Navigating the intricacies of where and how to access demographic data and other community data presented a formidable challenge for this valuable nonprofit focused on expanding library access.

Conducting Analysis to Assess Nonprofit Library Access

Recognizing the limitations of their patron data alone in understanding nonprofit library access patterns, YDL partnered with Social Explorer to develop a comprehensive service area analysis. Social Explorer, a trusted ally empowering nonprofits with geospatial data analysis and management, helped YDL see beyond the spreadsheets to identify barriers to access.

Social Explorer leveraged its vast data library to reveal patronage patterns, demographic trends, and areas where nonprofit library access was underserved, unlocking demographic insights that helped YDL shape services, improve access, and meet patron demands. The report Social Explorer delivered explored the library's service area by various relevant demographic characteristics including:

• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Income & poverty
• Education
• Internet access
• Family structure
• Health

Data-Driven Insights to Build on for Better Nonprofit Library Access

Through its geospatial data platform, Social Explorer was able to help YDL visualize demographic distinctions in their service area and identify gaps in access. YDL gained a profound understanding of its community with the Demographic Analysis report Social Explorer delivered, revealing key insights about library access patterns.

Interestingly, while the community skewed young, there was a disparity in access across age groups and genders. The data revealed:

• A Young Population with Limited Library Engagement. The typical Ypsilanti resident was slightly older than 24 years old, while the typical American is 38 years old. However, this young demographic wasn't fully utilizing library services.
• Low Nonprofit Library Access by People Under 18. Young people made up a disproportionately small percentage of library patrons, indicating significant gaps in access for youth. People under the age of 18 accounted for 21 percent of the area's total population, but only 14 percent of patrons.

Social Explorer's analysis illuminated other areas where library access could be improved, showcasing the untapped potential among youth and men. The analysis revealed significant disparities in income, education, and internet access, shedding light on areas that needed focused attention to enhance nonprofit library access. Specifically:

• A Diverse Population Requiring Targeted Access. YDL's service area was found to be among the most diverse in the region, with a significantly lower percentage of non-Hispanic whites than the surrounding area. About 55 percent of the district's residents were white, non-Hispanic – far less than the 75 percent in Michigan or 61 percent in the entire United States. This diversity highlighted the need for culturally responsive access programs.
• Lower Regional Broadband Service Impacting Digital Library Access. The Ypsilanti Library service area was representative of the country, with 73 percent of its residents having a broadband subscription. That figure, however, was much lower than surrounding areas, which had between 78 and 92 percent broadband, indicating the critical importance of the Library's role in providing online access.
• High Poverty Rate Creating Barriers to Library Access. The poverty rate in Ypsilanti city was among the highest in the nation. Almost 1 in 3 residents of the city were living below the poverty line, making nonprofit library access even more essential for community members lacking resources.

Using these insights, YDL tailored its services to meet these varied needs and remove barriers to library access in its community. From targeted outreach initiatives to informed collection development, every decision became a testament to YDL's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in nonprofit library access.

Nonprofit Libraries Must Harness Community Data to Improve Access

YDL's experience highlighted the crucial role data-driven insights serve in improving access across the nonprofit library sector. By partnering with Social Explorer to acquire the tools to interpret and leverage community data effectively, YDL was able to drive positive change and foster greater access and inclusivity in its region.

Community data can be a catalyst for transforming nonprofit library access. By harnessing the power of Social Explorer's service area analysis for nonprofits, YDL is not only serving its patrons more effectively, but also modeling a form of data-driven decision-making that nonprofit libraries across the country can use to improve access to their services.

To increase the impact of your library in its community, schedule a meeting with Social Explorer’s data experts to learn how we can help you realize your mission through insightful service area analysis.