El-Bathy, N. Khalil
Sin, S. J. & Kim, K. (2008). Use and non-use of public libraries in the information age: A logistic regression analysis of household characteristics and library services variables. Library & Information Science Research, 30(3), 207-215.
Summary
This study uses statistical analysis to determine to examine which demographic characteristics influence library use. Sin and Kim (2008) analyse the data from the 2002 Current Population Survey and the 2002 Public Libraries Survey. The dependent variable in this study was whether a household had at least one member who used a public library in the past year. Those that did were classified as users, and those that did not were classified as non-users. 43 independent variables were identified, but only 34 were found to be significant demographic characteristics that affected library use. The authors found that some of these had yet to be studied (as of 2008) including the distance of the use's residence from the library, use of other types of libraries, and age vs. school attendance rates.
Evaluation
Although somewhat dated, this study is helpful for identifying which demographic characteristics are important when assessing public library use and to what degree they affect library use. For example, while income influences library use, education level is a more significant factor that affects library use. The researchers, however, spend hardly any time discussing more commonly referenced demographic concerns such as race, ethnicity, or gender. This may be due to their findings that these demographic characteristics bare little affect on the use of public libraries. There is other research available, however, that discusses these user demographics.
The results of our first presentation correspond with the income variable described in this study. Higher income (as opposed to middle income) individuals and families prefer to buy their books or use paid services such as Netflix and RedBox. Amazon, Hulu, and other streaming services could be added to this list. The on demand aspect of these services are a form of convenience that patrons prefer to waiting for a library item to be returned and made available.
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