The Pew Internet & American Life Project has released a report (Pdf here) that you should read. Really. It will likely challenge assumptions that we make regarding who uses libraries and why. Here are a few of their findings as examples:
Problem Solving Behavior (from Major Questions and Findings):
- 58% of those who had recently experienced one of those problems said they used the internet (at home, work, a public library or some other place) to get help.
- 53% said they turned to professionals such as doctors, lawyers or financial experts.
- 45% said they sought out friends and family members for advice and help.
- 36% said they consulted newspapers and magazines.
- 34% said they directly contacted a government office or agency.
- 16% said they consulted television and radio.
- 13% said they went to the public library.
Public Library Use, by Generation (from Chapter 3):
- After Work (age 72+) – 32%
- Matures (62-71) – 42%
- Leading Boomers (53-61) – 46%
- Trailing Boomers (43-52) – 57%
- Generation X (31-42) – 59%
- Generation Y (18-30) – 62%
Regarding the second set of statistics, this is a dramatic turnaround from a survey in 1996 (from Chapter 9) which showed 18-24 year olds being the “least supportive” of libraries.
Another interesting note is that those with broadband access to the internet are more likely to use a public library than those with lower or no access to the internet (from Chapter 3). This finding surprised me.
Read the report; there is a lot more there to catch your attention. What surprises you? What confirms your circumstances? What does it all mean?
We are in a time of great change for libraries. The internet, social networking, wireless access, and broad access to computers are all radical forces that are going to alter our jobs and environments in ways we still cannot fully imagine. Understanding and implementing Library 2.0 concepts is only a start (but a necessary one).
We need to understand that this is a revolution in information. Storing, seeking, accessing, using, and understanding information is going to be different. Different is not necessarily good. Different is not necessarily bad. It will simply be… different.
We in Libraryland need to be on top of this moving colossus, and to be doing our best to anticipate and understand where it is going. This is not only important for ourselves, but for the good we can do for society as a whole.
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