Who uses the library and why
Let’s get 2008 started off right with some interesting data on who uses public libraries and why.
For a long time now, some folks have been predicting the demise of the public library. Here in Irondequoit a few people have told me to forget expanding the library because the Internet and information technology will soon render it obsolete. Our response, in addition to citing steady increases in borrowing and visits, has been that there are still a lot of people who don’t have Internet access or are clueless about technology and really need our help.
If there is truth to the assertion that the Internet is replacing the public library it seems reasonable to assume that the age group most comfortable with the Internet and information technology would be the first to abandon us and the library would be most heavily used by those without access or without the expertise to use it effectively. Recent research shows that none of the above ideas may be correct.
The University of Illinois, working with the Pew Internet Research Group, conducted an extensive survey of public library users. They found that young adults are the most frequent library users. By that they mean that a larger percentage of this group (ages 18 to 30) indicated that they turn to the library for information and problem solving than any other age group. They are, the numbers show, more than twice as likely as other age groups to do so. This, of course, directly contradicts the widely held notion that young adults don’t use libraries much anymore because they are so well integrated into the information saturated on-line world.
To what can we attribute this surprising news? The researchers theorized that because young adults had such great access to information and information technology it made them hungry for more and they know that libraries are the place to go for it. Indeed, folks who indicated that they use the library most often cited the presence of high quality information technology and resources plus a knowledgeable staff as their reasons. Researchers also reasoned that the subjects the young adults indicated they most often researched at the library, jobs, education, financial aid and health were all things libraries do very well.
The research shows that libraries are attracting young adults because they have free broadband Internet access and computer resources. The great surprise for librarians in this report is that reliance upon the library for information and problem solving was lowest among people with the least financial resources and slow or no Internet access. We could call this group “The People We Thought Needed Us Most”. We have always marketed ourselves aggressively toward this segment and assumed and even bragged that we were drawing these folks to the library for those reasons.
The message to public libraries is clear.
1. Technology isn’t ruining the library it is extending and revising the mission.
2. Our well-informed and most tech savvy citizens most heavily use and respect the library.
3. The financially and technologically disadvantaged, despite our claims to the contrary and our best efforts to attract them, are not such heavy library users. We must redouble our efforts at reaching those who need us the most while continuing to earn the respect of the most tech savvy segment of the population.
January 7, 2008 at 9:58 am
I completely concur with your well-written article. Included below is an idea
I have to improve library operation. Read-on.
January 7, 2008
Mr. Terry Buford
Director Of Irondequoit Public Library
2 Cooper Road
Rochester, NY 14617
Dear Sir:
Reading is to the mind, what exercise is the body. As by the one, health is
preserved , strengthened, and invigorated; by the other, virtue, which is
the health of the mind, is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed.
Addison, The Tatler. No. 147
As director, how can you not agree with the above quotation! I do believe that knowledge(acquired through reading) should be free of time constraints imposed upon it by archaic policy. Specifically, I am referring to the current library operation. Therefore, in the spirit of freedom of knowledge, I want to present to you an idea which could propel the Irondequoit Public Library System to new heights above and beyond any library system in Monroe County or even the State. The premise is so simple I’m surprised you haven’t thought of it yourself. The premise is to keep the library open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Several accoutrements will follow.
Just imagine the prestige you’ll gain for Irondequoit if you implement this practice. Not only will this maximize library resources, you will see an influx of college students, writers and researchers who would, undoubtedly, patronize local businesses. Thus, the community would benefit both culturally and financially..
Logistically, you will need to re-schedule the staff into three shifts:
1. 8:00am to 4:00pm
2. 4.00pm to 12:00am
3. 12:00am to 8:00am
and rotate staff on a weekly basis.
Staff members who work the 3rd shift will be allotted special formulated vitamins.
To show your commitment, you should maintain residence at the library during all shifts for the first six months of implementation. Also, you should alternate between the east and west branches daily.
You have my permission to submit this letter to the Library Board of Trustees. I’m confident they will approval it immediately.
I will enumerate the other “accoutrements” later, if you’re interested.
Direct your comments(no expletive deletives, please) to my e-mail address at bookrunner22@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours truly,
Bookrunner22
PS For economic feasibility, I am assuming work is performed pro gratis.
January 10, 2008 at 8:49 am
First Major Finding of the Report in response to:
“1. What sources of information do people consult when they need to address problems?”
“More people turned to the internet than any other source of information and support, including experts, family members, government agencies, or libraries.”
( libraries were at the bottom of the list—Internet was the first—-58% to 13%. A most significant difference)
The 18-30 yr olds are the largest users of the least used resource.
Although my local survey sample is exceptionally limited, I find that most I speak with believe that libraries will be smaller and smaller within a decade or two. Correct or not this seems to be the perception.
The above Major Finding clearly indicates a significant trend towards internet. Compare the ratio of internet users to library users at the last Library expansion in 1983 to the ratio today. That trend will continue. The library system will require more and more computer/internet resources as is occurring now.
With new and improved and expanded Branches, upgraded with modern electronic data connections there will not be the need to remain open 24/7.
A fact I hope the Director will be happy to learn. The off hours will be more than adequately served by home internet connectivity for the off hours.
Hope the link below works.
It is the Survey Summary:
Study Summary
January 11, 2008 at 3:00 pm
It doesn’t take a study to convince me that people are turning to the internet for information. Librarians themselves use the internet more than ever to locate information. However, smaller libraries? I don’t think so.
A steadily increasing number of people also use the internet………..at the library. The IPL had over 50,000 internet logins by customers at our branches in 2007.
As I said in my original post, IF the internet were causing declining use of the library you would think that the age group most comfortable with the internet would be the first to abandon us. The Pew Group study shows just the opposite. The heaviest IT users are the heaviest library users.
In fact, locally, regionally and nationally, public library visits and use are increasing. Public library building and expansion projects are increasing. This is due not just to increased use of libraries but also due to the fact that libraries are evolving to meet the needs of customers. The modern public library is no longer just a repository of items to be borrowed and tables at which to work. Modern public libraries are now performing the roles of community center, meeting space, performing arts center, information technology center as well as the traditional library mission which many folks still cherish.
Increasing use as well this evolution and expansion of roles without the abandoning of any traditional missions cannot be accomplished effectively without additional space.
January 11, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I stopped at Evans this afternoon to look thru the Gordon S. Black Corporation Survey conducted for the IPL in 1998. I found the service to be unsurpassed in terms of friendliness and knowledge of available products. Simply exceptional !
Of note as I scanned the Survey Report was a question regarding IT availability. As I recall there was one age group ( 18-34) that was driven from the library because of a lack of product. There was follow up question that involved the same topic. Both seemed to affirm the same conclusion as the PEW study ( and yet 10 years apart )
The Black Study is interesting. I found the question of consolidation to be far too vague to draw any conclusions for all age groups. It is clear that the over 65 age group had no interest in consolidation. However the most obvious question was not asked of all the age groups. They seem not to have asked about expanded Branches. Leading me to believe they had no interest in obtaining public input on that subject. The study seemed so complete that it seems odd that question was conspicuously avoided.
In terms of space requirements: There is absolutely no doubt that the Branches must be expanded. Ironically, today I obtained a letter from a Professional Engineering firm that stated the Cooper Road Branch expansion is not site constricted to the existing footprint as was stated by Panz in their final report summary. On the contrary the branch appears to be easily expanded by over 8000 sf—without adding any second story space.
I have never been a library user. I used east, west and Rundell recently. All visits were positive experiences. Considering the relatively poor working conditions ( old tired buildings with space constraints ), it was obvious the staff is not only dedicated but also operates in a most professional and friendly manner. Irondequoit residents need to move forward with expansion plans after a fair review and comparison of a Branch Option plan.