The 10 Most Important Insights from Pew Internet s Library Research

Transcription

1 The 10 Most Important Insights from Pew Internet s Library Research Lee Rainie Director Pew Research Center s Internet & American Life Project Presented to: Computers and Libraries April 9, 2013

2 1) Libraries are beloved 91% say libraries are important to their communities 76% say libraries are important to them and their families Robert Dawson photography - Library Road Trip /

3 1a) Libraries stack up well vs. others Library to community How confident? How important?

4 2) 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

5 3) 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

6 4) 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% % of e-content readers say they are reading more now --- Late 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

7 Rise of e-reading devices 50% Ebook reader Tablet Has either tablet or Ebook reader 40% 30% 25% 33% 26% 31% 40% 20% 17% 18% 19% 10% 4% 3% 6% 12% 8% 10% 10% 0% May-10 May-11 Dec-11 Nov-12 Jan-13

8 ) People are open to even more tech at libraries Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely or not at all likely An online research service ("ask a librarian") Cell app to use/view library services Program to try out new tech devices/apps Cell GPS app that helps locate material inside library Library kiosks in community to check out books, movies Personalized accounts that give book recommendations Classes on how to download library e-books E-book readers loaded books you want to read Digital media lab to create/upload new content like movies or e-books Instruction on how to use e-book reading devices

9 6) African-Americans and Latinos are esp. enthusiastic 80% 60% 40% 20% Whites Blacks Hispanics 57% 57% 56% 58% 51% 50% 43% 49% 46% 29% 28% 28% 29% 19% 43% 0% 80% 60% 40% 20% Cell app that allows you to use library services An online research service where you could ask questions of librarians Program that allowed people to try out new tech devices/apps 55% 45% 44% 43% 42% 43% 28% 19% 20% Classes on how to download library e-books Kiosks/ redboxes throughout community to check out books/movies 38% 37% 38% 18% 23% 41% 0% Media lab to create/upload new digital content like movies, your e-books E-book readers loaded books you want to read Cell GPS app that helps you locate material inside library Instruction on how to use e-book reading devices Customized online recommendations based on your past library activity

10 7) The public invites you to be more engaged in knotty problems Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do Coordinate more with local schools Free literacy programs Separate spaces for different services Have more comfortable spaces Offer more e-books Offer more interactive learning experiences Help users digitize material Move most library services online Make most services automated Move some books/stacks out of public locations

11 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

12 9) There is churn in library use Reasons 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 Library is not as useful because my children have grown, I'm retired, I'm no longer a student 40% 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%

13 10) 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

14 How you can help us Sign up to participate in our research (and encourage your friends!): Write us: What Pew Internet should study next

15 Libraries.pewinternet.org Lee Rainie Kathryn Zickuhr Kristen Purcell