the power and relevance of libraries
DESCRIPTION
At the American Library Association's National Library Legislative Day, Pew Internet Director Lee Rainie will discuss 11 key takeaways from the Project's libraries research.TRANSCRIPT
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The Power and Relevance of LibrariesTakeaways from Pew Internet research
Lee Rainie - @lrainieDirector
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project
Presented to: ALA May 7, 2013
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What is Pew? Say wha’: A “fact tank”?
“Tell the truth, and trust the people”
-- Joseph N. Pew, Jr.
http://bit.ly/dUvWe3http://bit.ly/100qMub
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About our libraries research• Goal: To study the changing role of public
libraries and library users in the digital age
• Done in 3 phases– Changing state of reading– Changing mix of library services– Changing tastes of library patrons
• Funded by a three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
libraries.pewinternet.org
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11 key takeaways
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1) Libraries are appreciated
91% say libraries are important to their communities
76% say libraries are important to them and their families
Robert Dawson photography - Library Road Triphttp://www.robertdawson.com/pages/1/Public%20Library%3a%20An%20American%20Commons/Public%20Library%3a%20An%20American%20Commons/
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1a) Libraries are especially appreciated by parents
94% of parents say libraries are important for their children and 79% describe libraries as “very important.”
84% of these parents say a major reason they want their children to have access to libraries is that libraries help inculcate their children’s love of reading and books.
81% say a major reason is that libraries provide their children with information and resources not available at home.
71% say a major reason is that libraries are a safe place for children.
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2) Libraries stack up well vs. othersHow confident? How important?
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3) People like librarians
• 98% of “ever” library visitors say interactions are “very positive”• 81% of library visitors say librarians are “very helpful”• 50% of “last year” visitors got help from a librarian
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4) Libraries have rebranded themselves as tech hubs
80% of Americans say borrowing books is a “very important” service libraries provide
80% say reference librarians are a “very important” service
77% say free access to computers and the internet is a “very important” service
76% say quiet study spaces are a “very important” service
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4a) How people use in- library computers (26% do so)
• 66% of those who used the internet at a library in the past 12 months did research for school or work.
• 63% browsed the internet for fun or to pass the time. • 54% used email. • 47% got health information.• 41% visited government websites or got info about gov services. • 36% looked for jobs or applied for jobs online. • 35% visited social networking sites. • 26% downloaded or watched online video. • 16% bought a product online.• 16% paid bills or did online banking.• 16% took an online class completed online certification program.
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4b) Who uses library websites
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4c) Mobile connections now matter
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Parents over-index on library use
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5) E-book reading is growing; borrowing is just getting started
Late 2011: 16% of American adults read an e-book in past year – now: 23%
2012: 5% of Americans 16+ have borrowed e-book from library in last year
Growing awareness that this is library feature: now 31% of public
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5a) E-reading devices spread out
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5b) Advent of e-content spawns more reading and more reading “packages”
30% of e-content readers say they are reading more now
The average reader of e-books has read 24 books (the mean number) in the past 12 months, compared with an average of 15 books by a non-e-book consumer.
E-book readers read in ALL formats
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5c) Reading is precious to parents
• 50% of parents of children under age 12 read to their child every day
• 26% do so a few times a week
• 58% of parents with children under 6 read with their child every day
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6) People are open to even more tech at libraries
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6a) African-Americans and Latinos are esp. enthusiastic
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Parents, too
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7) The public invites you to be more engaged in knotty problems
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8) Libraries have a PR problem / opportunity
• 22% say that they know all or most of the services their libraries offer
• 46% say they know some of what their libraries offer
• 31% said they know not much or nothing at all of what their libraries offer
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9) There is churn in library useReasons library use INCREASED (26%)
Enjoy taking their children, grandchildren 26%
Do research and use reference materials 14%
Borrow books more 12%
Student 10%
Use library computers and internet 8%
Have more time to read now, retired 6%
To save money 6%
Good selection and variety 5%
E-books, audio books, media are available 5%
Convenient 5%
Reading more now 5%
Library events and activities 4%
Good library and helpful staff 3%
Quiet, relaxing time, social locale 2%
Use for my job 2%
Reasons library use DECREASED (22%)
Can get books, do research online and the internet is more convenient 40%
Library is not as useful because my children have grown, I'm retired, I'm no longer a student
16%
Too busy, no time 12%Can't get to library, moved, don't know where library is 9%
Prefer e-books 6%Prefer to buy books or get books from friends 5%
Not interested 4%Health issues 3%Don't read much these days 3%Don't like local library or staff 3%Children are too young 2%
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10) Mothers are special
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11) There is a truly detached population out there that matters to you
• 20% never saw a family member use a library when they were growing up
• 16% have never visited a library
• 23% didn’t read a book last 12 months
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How you can help us
• Sign up to participate in our research (and encourage your friends!): http://libraries.pewinternet.org/participate/
• Write us: What Pew Internet should study next
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Libraries.pewinternet.orgLee RainieEmail: [email protected] Twitter: @Lrainie
Kathryn ZickuhrEmail: [email protected]: @kzickuhr
Kristen PurcellEmail: @[email protected]: @kristenpurcell