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Home Research Topics Other Topics Libraries
Pew Research CenterSeptember 8, 2016
Libraries 2016

Traditional activities – borrowing books or reading – dominate library use, but people are also attending classes or other programs

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Traditional activities – borrowing books or reading – dominate library use, but people are also attending classes or other programs

Post Infographics

Libraries 2016
Large majority says that libraries should have programs to teach digital skills; many hope they provide comfortable reading and working spaces
In-person library usage fluctuates
Americans do not yet have clearly fixed views about what to do with books and meeting spaces at libraries
People think closing their local public libraries would hurt communities
People see libraries as a safe place, a source of educational opportunity and trusted information, as well as a place to ignite creativity in young people
Women are more likely to think libraries contribute a lot to communities on key activities
Traditional activities – borrowing books or reading – dominate library use, but people are also attending classes or other programs
Doing research or checking email are the most frequent uses of library tech resources, but more people are using them to take classes online than last year
For Americans using libraries digital tools, searching library catalogues for content is the most prevalent activity
Non-library users are more likely to be male and have lower levels of educational attainment when compared with library users
Americans who have never been to libraries do not see the impact of one closing with the same intensity as library users

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