Pew Internet Study and Younger Americans’ Library Use

On June 25, 2013, the Pew Internet & American Life Project released some interesting data on the way young Americans use libraries and the technology they offer.  Pew telephone surveyed 2,252 Americans between the ages of 16 and 29 for this report (half were over landlines and half were via cell phones).  The report offers information on their library use and reading habits, library-related activities, and eBook use.  The report also includes a section on what services and programs younger Americans think that libraries should implement. Much of this report came as a surprise to me.  I had assumed that due to the increase in availability of information via the Internet, younger Americans use of the library would be little to none.  According to the survey, “38% of Americans ages 16-29 have used computers and the Internet at libraries in the past year, compared with 22% of those ages 30 and older.  Almost half (48%) of Americans ages 16-29 have ever visited a library website, compared with 36% of those ages 30 and older (who are significantly less likely to have done so). Almost one in five (18%) Americans ages 16-29 have used a mobile device to visit a public library’s website or access library resources in the past 12 months, compared with 12% of those ages 30 and older.” 25% of survey respondents read an eBook in 2012 which was up from 19% in 2011.  75% of those surveyed had read a print book in 2011 and 2012, so it appears that the print reading habits of younger Americans may be holding steady.   As a place to sit, relax, read, study, or use social media, younger Americans are a bit more likely to use the library space then older library visitors.  60% of younger library users have used the library to consume information compared with 45% of library visitors age 30 and older. When they were asked about what libraries should offer, the under age 30 group ranked the following as being “very important:”

• 80% of young Americans say it is “very important” for libraries to have librarians

• 76% say it is “very important” for libraries to offer research resources such as free databases
• 75% say free access to computers and the Internet is “very important” for libraries to have
• 75% say it is “very important” for libraries to offer books for people to borrow
• 72% say quiet study spaces are “very important”
• 72% say programs and classes for children and teens are “very important” for libraries to have
• 71% say it is “very important” for libraries to offer job or career resources

They also showed interest in mobile apps to help locate items within the library and the ability to access library services via their phones, as well as library kiosks that would allow them to checkout library materials throughout the community. This report includes a brief snapshot of younger Americans’ reading and library habits.   “Among recent library users under age thirty, 22% say their overall library use has increased over the past five years.  Another 47% said it has stayed about the same, and 30% said it has decreased over that time period.”  Read more in either the condensed or full report.