FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2008

Survey Challenges Belief that the Internet Reduces Library Use

WASHINGTON, DC—Although the Internet is increasingly important as a source of information for a majority of Americans, most adults still use libraries, according to a new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project and the University of Illinois. The survey, Information Searches That Solve Problems: How People Use the Internet, Government Agencies, and Libraries When They Need Help, was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for U.S. museums and libraries.

The survey of 2,796 Americans looked at overall library use and library use for solving problems related to subjects such as health care, education, taxes, and job searches, etc.

More than half of American adults said they had visited a local public library in the past 12 months. Public library users tend to be younger adults, with higher incomes, who have attended college. Among respondents in Generation Y (18-30), 62% visited a library in the past year, and among respondents in Generation X (31 to 42), 59% visited a library in the past year. Of those with incomes more than $40,000 a year, 59% had visited a library compared to 48% of those with incomes less than $40,000. The greater one’s level of education achievement, the more likely one is to go to the library, according to the survey. For example, 68% of those with a college degree had been to the library in the past year compared to 44% of those with a high school diploma and 57% who attended college but did not get a degree. Among the most frequent library users were young families; 63% of parents with children visited the library, compared to 48% of those without children at home.

“The reports of public libraries’ death due to the rise of the Internet have been greatly exaggerated,” said Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD, Director of the IMLS. “I urge those who encounter obstacles in their Internet searches or who are looking for additional resources, to acquaint themselves with their local library professionals. They are an information army trained to search for answers online and in the stacks.”

One in eight people turned to their local public library for help solving problems. Of those who visited a library, 68% used the computer at the library. In addressing their specific problems, 65% use the computer to look up information on the Internet, 62% used the computer to check on library materials, 58% use library reference materials, and 42% read newspapers and magazines.

Seven in 10 library visitors received assistance from library staff. Of those who received help at the library, 88% say they found a lot or some of what they were seeking. By contrast, among those who did not seek help at the library, only 53% found a lot or some of what they were seeking. Nearly four in five visitors (79%) say they were very satisfied with the assistance they received from the library staff, and 19% say there were satisfied.

Libraries’ potential customers skew towards younger people. The highest rate of use of those who visited libraries for help solving problems were among young people with high Internet access but low incomes because they are still in school or starting out in lower paid jobs, according to the survey. Among Generation Y (18-30), 40% said they are very likely or somewhat likely to visit a library in the future when faced with a problem compared to 25% of Generation X (31-41). Also likely to visit the library if faced with a problem in the future were African Americans (50%) and Latinos (42%), compared to 24% of white Americans.

A key challenge for libraries is to make sure that those who consider the library as a potential problem-solving resource recognize that libraries offer not only Internet access but a host of other assets such as trained staff and reference materials, the survey suggests.

For a copy of the report, please click on: http://www.pewInternet.org/PPF/r/231/report_display.asp.

About the Pew Internet & American Life Project
The Project produces reports that explore the social impact of the Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life. Support for the project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center. To learn more, visit www.pewinternet.org.

About the Library Research Center
The Library Research Center, a unit of the Graduate School for Library and Information Science, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign: The School is the top-ranked such in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report (2006). Established as a unit of GSLIS in 1961 to provide statistical support for state and public libraries, the LRC focuses on library trends, community analyses for libraries and policy outcomes. Its clients include members of the publishing industry, library vendors, library associations, individual libraries, government agencies, foundation and others. To learn more, visit http://lrc.lis.uiuc.edu.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.