Does Your Association Need a Digital Library?
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
Short answer? Probably.
A digital resource center can boost member engagement and deliver valuable content — a win-win for your association.
Professional associations must continuously find new ways to serve their members and remain relevant. One way is by creating a digital library: a centralized, easily accessible repository of industry knowledge.
In 2024, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) launched our digital resource library to help EMDR therapy professionals stay on the cutting edge of their field. Here’s why we concluded that a digital library was right for us, and why it might be right for your association too.
Why a Digital Library?
Associations have long played a key role in curating and disseminating industry knowledge. Traditionally, this has been done through conferences, white papers, journals, and webinars. However, today’s professionals are increasingly turning to on-demand, online resources for learning and development. Associations must rethink how they deliver content.
A digital library offers many advantages.
Increased Member Value
At EMDRIA, our 2023 membership survey revealed several key issues:
Members struggled to navigate our website to find the information they need.
Utilization of our resources was low.
Many members admitted they were unaware of existing resources.
We wanted to provide our members with ongoing access to high-quality, curated resources to aid their professional development.
The goal of our library was to deliver a comprehensive home for finding reliable and relevant resources for our membership, which in turn would enhance the value of their membership, drive retention, and increase satisfaction.
By connecting members to valuable content, associations strengthen their reputations and fosters loyalty.
24/7 Access to Knowledge
We know that our members strongly favor online educational content for ongoing learning and professional development. This includes on-demand courses, downloadable articles, and video resources for their clients. In fact, research shows that associations reported a 48% increase in engagement in virtual professional development opportunities in 2024 (MGI, 2024).
With our digital library, members can access resources whenever and wherever they need them, free from the constraints of in-person events or print publications. This is especially helpful as our international membership grows. Members can access resources at their convenience, regardless of their time zone, work schedule, or personal commitments.
Increasingly, members want self-paced learning. We can see this demand through our library’s usage statistics from the past 6 months. By far, the most desired resources are from our OnDemand Education courses that offer self-paced learning opportunities. These courses not only offer the opportunity to earn continuing education credits when members need them, but they also accommodate diverse learning styles and speeds, making professional development more accessible to all.
Quick, Easy Navigation
As mental health professionals, our members often only have 10 minutes in between clients to look up information. It was important to us that our members could find solutions, best practices, or guidance quickly whenever they face challenges.
That’s why our library features robust search tools, including keyword and faceted search. Faceted navigation allows layering multiple filters for specific results. Filters like topic, date, and language allow users to find precise information without wading through irrelevant content.
For example, the School Nutrition Association’s Resource Library allows users to filter by category, audience, resource type, and more, making it easier for members to find precise resources.
Well-organized content not only reduces member frustration, but users spend less time searching and more time engaging with your content.
Opportunities for Non-Dues Revenue
A digital library can also generate income. Associations might offer access to all, or some, of their resources via a subscription-based model, allowing the ability to unlock premium content for an additional fee.
The Association for Intelligent Information Management is a good example of this approach. Their standard membership, AIIM+, offers community, discussion forums, and events. However, for an additional fee, the AIIM+ Pro membership offers members unlimited access to original continuing education content, creating added value beyond traditional membership dues.
Even without a subscription model, the resource library can help provide additional access to some of your association’s premium content. At EMDRIA, our OnDemand Education courses are discoverable through our library, leading members to find and purchase courses of interest.
Whether you call it a repository, resource center, or knowledge hub, the principles are the same. A digital library delivers value content to your members and positions your association as an industry leader.
