Libraries in the Digital Age

Oh, Pew Research Center. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 

More than any other organization, here's how I started to enjoy perusing through statistical research. There is a lot about how people use information and technology, and it's always presented in a timely, practical way. 

Their most recent survey examines people's perceptions of public libraries from research completed over the last three years. The vitality and viability of libraries is a frequent topic in the library world. Libraries are changing as people can access more and more materials from their homes through their own internet connections. Librarians are buying preselected sets of materials electronically and many are spending less time on tasks like book maintenance and check out. 

You should browse through their slideshow, but here's my takeaway 10 list of items I learned at Public Library Engagement. (Careful readers will note and lament the typo that made it to the final draft.)

-76% of Americans read a book in the last year. The median was five total.

-Half of all Americans own an ereader or a tablet that can host ebooks.

-32% of Americans have read an ebook on their cell phone.

-72% of Americans describe themselves as living in a "library household."

-This one is my favorite about how people use ebooks.

-80% believe that it's important to for libraries to have "librarians to help people find information." (Personally, I must say YAY! Information overload may save our jobs.)

-Among library users, only 16% rent cds while 46% use research databases.

-85% would like libraries to work more with schools. (We're in good hands with Manatee County and have set up several programs to work with our students.)

-This is pretty entertaining too if you look at the categories. 

-Among people who deem libraries important, 51% think that an important quality of the library is a safe, quiet space. 

If you were reading a few weeks ago, LA was also talking about the need for quiet spaces. This goes against a lot of the literature in the school library community, where people are talking about needing tech-enabled collaborative study spaces. This is of personal interest to me because my space is open, so it can only be either loud or quiet. Differentiated spaces and increase online library presence are the wave of the future!