We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the "Get Loud For Libraries!" Community Engagement Report. This project would not have been possible without the collective efforts, dedication, and support of numerous individuals and organizations.

Firstly, we sincerely thank the entire team and staff at the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL). Your unwavering commitment to nurturing healthy families and fostering dynamic neighborhoods is the backbone of this project. MPL, as a cornerstone of our community, continually inspires through its efforts to facilitate reading, learning, and meaningful connections. Your role is indispensable in enriching the cultural and intellectual fabric of Milwaukee.

We are immensely grateful to INPOWER, a Milwaukee-based Black and Woman-Led social impact agency, for their crucial involvement. INPOWER's expertise in collecting primary data, conducting secondary data analysis, synthesizing information, and preparing this comprehensive report has been invaluable. Their approach of deploying integrated solutions to address social challenges and working closely with community members exemplifies a commitment to empowering self-determined outcomes and enhancing overall community wellness.

We also wish to acknowledge and thank our community partners who have been instrumental in providing input and co-hosting events. These partners include:

-Burmese Rohingya Society of Wisconsin
-Serving Older Adults
-Revitalize Milwaukee
-Relaciones Exteriores
-The Mexican Consulate
-Safe and Sound
-MKE LGTB Community Center
-Journey House
-Asian American Pacific Islanders
-Coalition of Wisconsin
-Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition

Your contributions, insights, and support have been vital in shaping the outcomes of this project.

This report is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision. Each of you has played a significant role in making this project a success, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Thank you for your commitment, passion, and invaluable contributions.

The findings in this report are based on a combination of community engagement events, surveys, and existing data sources. A notable observation from our survey data is that the majority of respondents identified as women. With respect to the information obtained at the time of library card registration, personal demographic information is not intentionally requested.

Without this information as a reference, we cannot verify if the population who responded to the survey accurately reflects the broader community population. It's important to note that while efforts were made to gather diverse perspectives, the data collected may not fully represent the entirety of viewpoints within Milwaukee.

Participation was voluntary, potentially introducing selection bias, and external data sources come with limitations in quality and timeliness. The report provides a snapshot of community sentiments, but individual experiences and evolving trends may not be entirely captured within this scope.

This research employed a comprehensive methodology to gather insights from various stakeholders within the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) system. Data collection involved a multi-pronged approach to ensure a wide cast of perspectives and voices were captured in the analysis.

To reach community members through non-digital channels, paper surveys were distributed at all MPL locations. Furthermore, in-person conversations facilitated by INPOWER engaged a diverse range of community members and groups. Additionally, data were extracted and analyzed from MPL's internal records of previous community conversations.

To reach digitally, INPOWER conducted online staff surveys and digital surveys targeted at both patrons and non-patrons within the Milwaukee area. These digital surveys incorporated incentives to encourage participation.

The full range of interactions captured includes audio, text, and multiple-choice responses, which provides a rich dataset for analysis.

By integrating diverse methods of data collection, the study aimed to comprehensively understand the perspectives, feedback, and needs of MPL's patrons, staff, the broader community it serves and members it has potential to reach.