Illinois Library Association
Vol. 6, Issue:  5| January 23, 2013
New Pew Report Released Yesterday
"Library Services in the Digital Age"
Summary of Findings

The Internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping

transform Americans' reading habits.  In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources.  In a new survey of Americans' attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries' digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.

 

The availability of free computers and internet access now rivals book lending and reference expertise as a vital service of libraries. In a national survey of Americans ages 16 and older:

  • 80% of Americans say borrowing books is a "very important" service libraries provide.
  • 80% say reference librarians are a "very important" service of libraries.
  • 77% say free access to computers and the internet is a "very important" service of libraries.

Moreover, a notable share of Americans say they would embrace even wider uses of technology at libraries such as:

  • Online research services allowing patrons to pose questions and get answers from librarians: 37% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use an "ask a librarian" type of service, and another 36% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so. 
  • Apps-based access to library materials and programs:   35% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use that service and another 28% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so.
  • Access to technology "petting zoos" to try out new devices:  35% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use that service and another 34% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so.
  • GPS-navigation apps to help patrons locate material inside library buildings:  34% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use that service and another 28% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so.
  • "Redbox"-style lending machines or kiosks located throughout the community where people can check out books, movies or music without having to go to the library itself:  33% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use that service and another 30% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so.
  • "Amazon"-style customized book/audio/video recommendation schemes that are based on patrons' prior library behavior  29% of Americans ages 16 and older would "very likely" use that service and another 35% say they would be "somewhat likely" to do so.

When Pew Internet asked the library staff members in an online panel about these services, the three that were most popular were classes on e-borrowing, classes on how to use handheld reading devices, and online "ask a librarian" research services.  Many librarians said that their libraries were already offering these resources in various forms, due to demand from their communities.

 

These are some of the key findings from a new national survey of 2,252 Americans ages 16 and older by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and underwritten by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The interviews were conducted on October 15-November, 2012 and done on cell phone and landlines and in English and Spanish.

 

Of those who gave a high rating to technology in the library, African-American and Hispanic users were more likely than whites to feel free access was very important.  Women and those with some college experience were also especially likely to feel this way.  


Public Priorities for Libraries

Asked for their thoughts on which services libraries should offer to the public, majorities of Americans are strongly in favor of:

  • Coordinating more closely with local schools:  85% of Americans ages 16 and old say libraries should "definitely" do this.
  • Offering free literacy programs to help young children:  82% of Americans ages 16 and old say libraries should "definitely do" this.
  • Having more comfortable spaces for reading, working, and relaxing: 59% of Americans ages 16 and old say libraries should "definitely do" this.
  • Offering a broader selection of e-books:  53% of Americans ages 16 and old say libraries should "definitely do" this.
About Pew Internet

The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America and the world.  The Pew Internet Project explores the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life.  The Project is nonpartisan and takes no position on policy issues.  Support for the Project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.   

 

Please click here for a summary of the survey findings as well as the complete report (PDF file).   

Don't Miss the 2013 Trustee Workshops!

There's still time to register for the 2013 Library Trustee Workshops. 

The workshops will be held Saturday, February 2, at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook, 1401 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, and Saturday, March 23, at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield. 

 

This year's morning sessions will focus on personnel and planning issues. Lynn Elam, ILA Immediate Past President & Administrative Librarian, Algonquin Area Public Library District, will discuss Succession and Replacement Planning.  Kelly A. Hayden, Director, Employment Law Services/General Counsel, Management Association of Illinois, will explain Library Director Contracts. 

 

The afternoon will include a legislative update from Kip Kolkmeier, ILA Legislative Consultant, and a Q&A with Library Attorney Phil Lenzini.

 

 Click here for more information and to register online.  

 

Registration includes the workshop sessions, a continental breakfast, luncheon, and two snack breaks.  Register multiple trustees and save! Register one trustee at the full price and each additional trustee from your institution will receive a $10 registration discount. 

Free parking is available for both workshops. 
Booth Library Partners with Six Public Libraries in Region
Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University is presenting "America's Music:  A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway" from January 11 to April 6.  The series focuses on six genres of music that are considered uniquely American:  blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz and swing, bluegrass and country, rock 'n' roll, and Latino and hip hop.  A variety of programs is planned, including film screenings, music and dance performances, lectures and exhibits.  Please click here for a complete schedule of activities.  Each film and discussion will be shown in a public library in East Central Illinois:  Danville, Paris, Marshall, Shelbyville, and Robinson.

 

The "America's Music" program is being led by Allen Lanham, dean of library services, and Paul Johnston, associate professor of jazz studies.  It is being sponsored in part by Eastern Illinois University, College of Arts and Humanities, Booth Library, Doudna Fine Arts Center, and the Coles County Arts Council.  The program is made possible in part by a grant from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts and Humanities, EIU.

 

"America's Music" is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music.  It has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.

In the News 
Library-related stories appearing in local news media are reflected in this section of the ILA E-Newsletter.  The intent is to alert and inform the Illinois library community about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media. 

Return-On-Investment Library Studies
To read this story, please click here
 
Mighty Twig Brings Back Library Services in South Evanston

To read this story, please click here.
 

Niles Library Begins $5.5 Million Upgrade
To read this story, please
click here.     

 

Are Your Teens Ready for New Adult Fiction? 

To read this story, please click here.

Why Public Libraries Matter:  And How They Can Do More 
Second Forbes Magazine Article in a Two-Part Series on Libraries and Their Role in the Marketing and Readership of Books 
To read this story, please click here.
First article was in the December 19, 2012 ILA E-Newsletter.   
 
A Doll's Magic, Free to Renew  
To read this story, please click here

 

If your library has a newspaper story with link, send it to us at [email protected] for possible inclusion in the next ILA E-Newsletter.  Thanks.
Sincerely,
 

Robert P. Doyle
Illinois Library Association
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