Brandes-Miesner, Marta
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.
