Surprising Results About Americans and Our Libraries

Brandes-Miesner, Marta

Raine, Lee (2014). 7 Surprises about our libraries in our surveys.
Retrieved from
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/30/7-surprises-about-libraries-in-our-surveys/

Summary:

This is an article written by Lee Raine, director of internet, science and technology research at Pew Research Center. From surveys taken in 2013, it states that older Americans (65+) are the smallest age group likely to have used a library in the past year. Younger Americans (16-29) are the largest group, on par with all of the ages in between ages 30 through 64. The survey identifies a group referred to as “Distant Admirers” who make up nearly 15% of the population (16+) who have never been to a library but have very positive views of the library. These views are based on another family member being a library user, the belief that libraries promote literacy which can result in the improvement of communities and the quality of lives. Next is that although e-book reading is on the rise, only 4% of those 29% of Americans who have ever read an e-book have become “e-book only” readers. Of Americans who read both, their preferences are pretty evenly split depending upon circumstances. The survey also revealed that library users prefer to own books (purchase them) rather than to borrow them from the library. That is they are not necessarily purchasing them but they would prefer to, rather than borrow.  Additionally, despite librarians’ staunch support of patrons’ privacy, 64% of library users said they would be willing to use a Reader’s Advisory Service that would recommend reading materials to patrons based upon their previously checked out materials. The remainder said they would be “”very likely” to use it. Finally, library patrons were fairly evenly divided into thirds (yes, no and maybe) when asked about the future physical arrangement of library materials and whether or not they should be removed to make way for tech centers, reading rooms and spaces for cultural programs.

Evaluation:

This 2013 poll taken by the Pew Research Center turned out to be more surprising than not. Some results were expected for logical reasons, for example the impression of libraries in general, even by “Distant Admirers”. The first question about actual library usage did surprise me. I would have thought that there would have been more library use among older Americans. Traditionally (as the question about the impressions of libraries by non-users revealed) libraries are seen as an embodiment of our nation’s founding principles. They are institutions that symbolize life-long learning, knowledge, wisdom-ideas that are customarily associated with societies’ elders. However, the discomfort that many older Americans feel in regards to technology may be one reason among many for the lower percentage. The fact that young adults were among the largest groups would not be surprising given the number of people in school among this age group. However, one might expect more alternative resources given the availability of internet sources today. The question about library users preferring to own books rather than to borrow them may seem surprising at first, but upon reflection it makes sense-book lovers are book lovers. Lovers of knowledge are lovers of knowledge. One may not always have the ability to purchase their own reading material but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t like own it in whatever format. Even as students, it would make sense that it is easier to study materials when one have the liberty to highlight, notate, etc. Over all, the results of the survey and article are interesting and worth consideration.