L
arge
-scale national surveys and site visits such as this involve substantial effort and support from many
individuals and groups. While we cannot easily mention each individual or community, we would like to
highlight the efforts of those who provided substantial assistance.
The study team wishes to express their gratitude to the bill and melinda Gates Foundation and the
american Library association (aL
a), whose support and participation have made this study and the
previous 2006–2007 study possible. also, we thank aL
a and the Gates Foundation for their assistance in
securing a high survey response rate.
The study team would like to recognize the significant efforts of the state librarians, the state data
coordinators, and other state library staff members. as with the 2006–2007 study, the amount of time,
energy, and support the state library community invested in this study contributed directly to the survey’s
response rate—we cannot thank them enough for all of their efforts.