How the public grades libraries – and uses libraries

How the public grades libraries –
and uses libraries
Lee Rainie
Director, Pew Internet Project
June 27, 2016
ALA - Orlando
@lrainie | @pewinternet | @pewresearch

What we already know about libraries:
Our previous findings -- libraries.pewinternet.org

• People think libraries are important,
especially for communities
• People like and trust librarians
• People think libraries level of the
playing field for those without vast
resources
• People believe libraries have
rebranded themselves as tech hubs
• People still read books

Latest book reading stats
79
74 72 7371
65 63 65
17
23
27 28
14 13 12 14
2011 2012 2015 2016
Total (any format) Read a print book Read an e-book Listen to audiobook
%

The typical (median)
American adult read 4
books in the past 12
months
---
The average (mean)
read 12 books
Mean Median
Total (All adults 18+) 12 4
Sex
Male 9 3
Female 15 5
Race/ethnicity
White 14 5
Black 9 3
Hispanic 6 1
Age group
18-29 12 5
30-49 12 4
50-64 11 3
65+ 13 3
Education level
High school grad or less 8 2
Some college 12 4
College graduate 17 7
Household income
Less than $30,000 per year 10 2
$30,000-$49,999 per year 12 4
$50,000-$74,999 per year 13 5
$75,000 or more per year 14 5
Community type
Urban 11 4
Suburban 12 3
Rural 12 4

Went to library / bookmobile in past 12 months
% of those ages 16+
53
48
44
48
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2012
2012 2013 2015 2016
Heavier users include parents of minors, women, those
under 60, those with college degrees +

Used library website in past 12 months
% of those ages 16+
20132012 2015
25
30 31
27
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2012 2013 2015 2016

If your local public library CLOSED,
would that have a MAJOR impact,
MINOR impact or NO IMPACT on …
33
66
33
25
33
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Me & my family
My community
Major Impact Minor impact No impact

Do you think your local public library provides you
with the resources you need, or not?
77
11 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yes No Don’t know
Especially true for
those under age
50 and doubly
true for Millennials

How much, if at all, do you think your local public library
contributes to the following things in your community?
29
38
47
49
58
69
36
35
32
31
29
20
16
14
9
10
5
3
8
6
4
3
3
3
10
7
8
7
5
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Serving as a gathering place for addressing challenges
in your local community
Promoting a sense of community among different
groups within your local area
Providing a trusted place for people to learn about new
technologies
Helping spark creativity among young people
Creating educational opportunity for people of all ages
Providing a safe place for people to spend time
A lot Some Not too much Nothing at all Don't know

How much have libraries contributed to their communities?
% of those ages 16+
19
22
24
29
31
36
37
37
34
39
39
39
37
37
17
21
19
19
14
14
15
17
14
10
8
8
6
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Helping people when a natural disaster or major problem strikes
the community
Helping people find jobs or pursue job training
Helping people find out about volunteer opportunities and other
ways people can make contributions to your community
Helping people learn about local events and resources that are
available in your community
Helping people learn how to use new technologies
Helping people when they seek health information
Helping people decide what information they can trust
A lot Somewhat A little Not at all

June 27, 2016 15www.pewresearch.org
The clear public
mandate: Do
something for
education ….
Large majorities of
Americans see
libraries as part of
the educational
ecosystem and as
resources for
promoting digital
and information
literacy.

24
30
20
40
40
39
31
25
36
Apr-16
Apr-15
Nov-12
Should definitely not do Should maybe do Should definitely do
Should libraries move some print books and stacks OUT OF public
locations to free up more space for things such as tech centers,
reading rooms, meetings rooms, and cultural events? % of those ages 16+

Should libraries coordinate more closely with local schools in
providing resources to kids?
% of those ages 16+
85
11
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

85
12
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Should libraries offer free early literacy programs to help young
children prepare for school?
% of those ages 16+

Should libraries offer programs to teach people, including kids and
senior citizens, how to use digital tools such as computers,
smartphones and apps?
% of those ages 16+
80
16
4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

This really registers now because people think
education matters more and they want to
be more attuned to learning

Learning as identity (% of those ages 18+)
57
61
73
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
I often find myself looking for new
opportunities to grow as a person
I like to gather as much information
as I can when I come across
something that I am not familiar…
I think of myself as a lifelong learner
Describes me very well

74% of all adults are personal enrichment learners
% of those ages 18+
16
25
30
35
58
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Taken online course
Taken course related to
interest/hobby
Attend convention/conference tied to
personal interest
Attended meeting where learned
new info such as book club or arts…
Read publications related to
personal interest

The motives of personal learners
% of those ages 18+
33
36
60
64
80
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Learn something to help with my
children's or other kids school work
Wanted to turn a hobby into extra
income
Extra time on my hands
Learn something that would allow
me to help others
Learn something make my life more
interesting

63% of the employed (36% of all adults) are work-related
learners – i.e. gotten training or taken courses (% of those ages 18+)
7
13
24
36
55
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Because I am worried about losing
job
To help get a new job
To help get a raise/promotion
For a license or certification for my
job
To maintain or improve my job skills

People's learning activities are tied to a variety of factors
Level of education: Those with more formal education are more likely than others to
pursue learning activities.
Household income: Those who live in households with more income are more likely
than others to be both professional and personal learners.
Race and ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to have pursued
personal learning activities in the past year.
Technology assets: Those who have both home broadband and smartphones are
more likely than those with no internet connections or only one connection option
to take advantage of learning opportunities.
Personal outlook: Those who consider themselves lifelong learners and are eager to
seek information are more likely than others to pursue personal enrichment
activities.
Job categories: Government workers, educators, non-profit employees more likely
than others to be professional learners.

June 27, 2016 26www.pewresearch.org
How are libraries performing
in this new environment?

How well, if at all, do your local public libraries serve the learning
and educational needs of your local community – not just
children at schools, but all those of any age who want to learn?
% of those ages 18+
37 39 6 4 12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very well Pretty well Not too well Not well at all Don't know

How well, if at all, do your local public libraries serve the learning
and educational needs of you and your family? (% of those ages 18+)
34 36 9 12 8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very well Pretty well Not too well Not well at all Don't know

As far as you know, does your local library system offer any of
the following services? (% of those ages 18+)
22
24
26
41
62
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Online programs that certify people
have mastered new skills
Programs on starting a new
business
Online GED or high school
equivalency classes
Online career- and job-related
resources
E-books, audio books for borrowing

Other yearnings ….
Privacy coaching and solitude

Should libraries offer programs to teach patrons about protecting
their privacy and security online? % of those ages 16+
76
18
4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

Should libraries have more comfortable spaces for reading,
working, and relaxing at the library? % of those ages 16+
57
30
9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

People: Serve and Learn
Tech AND data experts
Master teachers in age of
lifelong learning
Visionaries for the
knowledge economy
and the jobs it
produces
Monitors of algorithms

Place: Reconfigured and
Repurposed
Embrace the Internet of
Things
Become the “first place” to
meet
Fill in “market holes” or
niches
Test beds – maker masters
Community information
stewards

Platform: Community Resource
Trusted, top-of-mind
institution for
learning
Advocates for free and
open
Advocates for closing
digital divides
Privacy watchdog
Civic specialists – esp.
in learning realms

How the public grades libraries – and uses libraries

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How the public grades libraries – and uses libraries

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