Crowdfunding in Libraries: An Analysis of Library Crowdfunding Project Data

Crowdfunding is one of the newest strategies libraries are using to connect with donors. While the past several years have produced a consistent trickle of reports about libraries using crowdfunding to extend traditional fundraising activities, research thus far has largely been constrained to case studies and surveys. By studying 174 library and archive projects on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, this research determined that library and archive crowdfunding campaigns raise more money on average and are more likely to successfully meet their funding goals than typical Kickstarter campaigns. Additional findings regarding types of projects crowdfunded, types of libraries crowdfunding, and amount of campaigns launched over time are discussed. This study hopes to support library practitioners in judging the feasibility of crowdfunding as a practical fundraising strategy and determining the contexts in which crowdfunding is most likely to be successful.Master of Science in Information Scienc