Topic 5: Defining Stakeholders

There are three types of stakeholders: primary stakeholders, secondary stakeholders, and key stakeholders.

Primary Stakeholders: Primary stakeholders are directly impacted by the actions you take. These are the groups that may be using the service or resource and/or participating in the program. For example, if a library holds a storytime specifically targeted for children with autism, those children are primary stakeholders (The Community Toolbox, 2017).

Secondary Stakeholders: Secondary stakeholders are indirectly affected by the actions you take. For example, if the library develops a program for adults with autism focused on providing them with employment resources and opportunities, there may be an indirect effect on employers in the community. A certain group of people are affected, but from the result of a program rather than the program itself (The Community Toolbox, 2017).

Key Stakeholders: Key stakeholders are directly involved in the action itself, which could not be possible without participation from those stakeholders. For example, if your library is initiating a program that must be run by library staff, the library staff would be considered a key stakeholder because the program could not be implemented without them (The Community Toolbox, 2017).

During a needs assessment, you must figure out who your stakeholders are and to what extent they will be involved in the project. It is important to organize this carefully because the participation of an organization, business, or individual may decide whether the initiative is possible or not. The Community Toolbox believes that "in most cases, involving all of these [stakeholders] will lead to a better process, greater community support and buy-in, more ideas on the table, a better understanding of the community context, and, ultimately, a more effective effort" (2017). The Targeting Autism white paper supports similar beliefs, stating that including a variety of stakeholders who are passionate about the project encourages sustainability and engagement. Identifying stakeholders should be done from the very beginning, in the planning process.

Activity: Given the following scenario, label each stakeholder as either a Primary, Secondary, or Key Stakeholder.

You are a public librarian initiating a service that would provide greater resources for children with ASD. This includes Autism friendly books and sensory centers in the library, as well as features programs targeted specifically for children with ASD, such as storytimes. You are working with an ARC organization in the area which is helping fund the project, making it possible. The local school district has seen profound progress in students with ASD who are participating in the program and plan on partnering with the library in the following years.

After you have put the answers into the journal box below, check the answer key here.