Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The starting point of this research was to understand how people currently use their libraries. In the past 12 months, 53% of Americans ages 16 and older visited a library or bookmobile; 25% visited a library website; and 13% used a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet computer to access a library website. […]
The internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping transform Americans’ reading habits. In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources.
In addition to asking people about their general feelings about libraries and their patterns of patronage, Pew Internet’s survey explored in depth what people do at libraries – both at the physical facilities and on library websites. These responses reported below were asked of the 53% of Americans who say they visited a library or […]
Libraries are key technology hubs in their communities. Many patrons would like even more tech-centered services, but ultimately many feel that print books remain important in the digital age.
Libraries’ strengths In addition to asking our online panel of library staff members about various services that libraries do offer or might offer in the future, we also asked about what they considered to be libraries’ strengths. One common theme was libraries’ role as a community center, and their connection to patrons and other local […]
In addition to asking people how they use their local public libraries, we also asked them about how much they felt they know about the different services and programs their library offers. We also examined how important Americans feel various library services are to their communities, and explored what sort of activities and resources people […]
How likely Americans say they would be to use the following resources at public libraries
Some 73% of Americans ages 16 and over say there are places in their community where they can access the internet or use a computer for free.[2. numoffset=”2″ The American Library Association reports that 62% of libraries report they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. […]
We asked people whether they would use a variety of possible new activities and features at libraries. Our list was weighted towards services that are rooted in technology and allow more tech-related interactions with libraries and at them.