Libraries and communities
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The Pew Research Center's 2013 report highlights the significant role libraries play in communities, with 91% of respondents acknowledging their importance. However, libraries face public relations challenges and are perceived as disconnected from certain community groups, despite high appreciation from users. The report emphasizes the need for libraries to adapt and reinvent themselves, engaging more meaningfully with community needs and leveraging technology.
Libraries and communities
- 1. Libraries and communities Lee Rainie - @lrainie Director, Pew Research Center’s Internet Project Presented to: New England Library Association October 21, 2013
- 2. “Tell the truth, and trust the people” -- Joseph N. Pew, Jr. http://bit.ly/dUvWe3 http://bit.ly/100qMub
- 3. What is the Pew Internet Project? A comprehensive and groundbreaking new report released Monday by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project has found that only four users of Facebook derive pleasure of any .... “As it turns out, the vast majority of human kind from theto become depressed when they beings tend popular social networking website. According to the report, the remainder of see the past five years of their life summarized the 950 million people registered with Facebook, right there in front of them in a sad little despite using the site on a regular basis, take no timeline,” said lead researcher John Elliott. joy in doing so, and in fact feel a profound sense of hopelessness and despair immediately upon logging in… Number Of Users Who Actually Enjoy Facebook Down To 4
- 4. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact sport
- 5. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact sport
- 6. Libraries are perceived as important 91% say libraries are important to their communities 76% say libraries are important to them and their families Robert Dawson photography - Library Road Trip http://www.robertdawson.com/pages/1/Public%20Library%3a%20An%20American%20Commons/Public%20Library%3a%20An%20American%20Commons /
- 7. Quick news flash: New preliminary data • Having a public library improves the quality of life in a community • Public libraries are important because they promote literacy and a love of reading • Because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed • Public libraries provide many services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere ---• Disagree: Public libraries have NOT done a good job keeping up with new technologies
- 8. … more … • Split verdict: People do NOT need public libraries as much as they used to because they can find most information on their own
- 9. Libraries stack up well vs. others How confident? How important? Library to community 63 28 9
- 10. People like librarians • 98% of “ever” library visitors say interactions are “very/mostly positive” • 81% of library visitors say librarians are “very helpful” • 50% of “last year” visitors got help from a librarian
- 11. Libraries have rebranded themselves as tech hubs 80% of Americans say borrowing books is a “very important” service libraries provide 80% say reference librarians are a “very important” service 77% say free access to computers and the internet is a “very important” service 76% say quiet study spaces are a “very important” service
- 12. How people use in-library computers (26% do so) • 66% of those who used the internet at a library in the past 12 months did research for school or work. • 63% browsed the internet for fun or to pass the time. • 54% used email. • 47% got health information. • 41% visited government websites or got info about gov services. • 36% looked for jobs or applied for jobs online. • 35% visited social networking sites. • 26% downloaded or watched online video. • 16% bought a product online. • 16% paid bills or did online banking. • 16% took an online class completed online certification program.
- 13. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact sport
- 14. Many of their patrons and biggest fans can’t answer the Marvin Gaye question …
- 15. What’s going on? • 22% say that they know all or most of the services their libraries offer • 46% say they know some of what their libraries offer • 31% said they know not much or nothing at all of what their libraries offer
- 16. Library non-users who are fans and should be primed to listen 100% 80% 23% 22% 60% 40% 75% 38% 31% 76% 84% 91% 53% 20% 0% Used library last Read a book in Library is 12 months past 12 months important to me/family Ever visited library Library is important to community
- 17. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact spor
- 18. Library users % who have visited a library or bookmobile in person in the past year All Americans ages 16+ a Men (n=1,059) b Women (n=1,193) Age a 16-17 (n=101) b 18-29 (n=369) c 30-49 (n=586) d 50-64 (n=628) e 65+ (n=531) Education attainment a No high school diploma (n=254) b High school grad (n=610) c Some College (n=562) d College + (n=812) Parent of minor a Parent (n=584) b Non-parent (n=1,667) 53% 53% 48% 59a 59% 62%de 57%e 59%de 51%e 40% 40% 43% 46% 58%ab 63%ab 58% 63% 64% 64% 49% b
- 21. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact spor
- 22. Coordinate more closely with local schools in providing resources to kids 77% 19% 3% Offer free early literacy programs to help young children prepare for school 77% Should definitely do 17% Maybe do Definitely NOT do 3%
- 23. Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do Separate spaces for different services 61% 27% 9% More comfortable spaces for reading, working, relaxing 59% 28% 9% Offer a broader selection of e-books 53% 0% 20% 30% 40% 60% 5% 80% 100%
- 24. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact spor
- 25. Move some print books and stacks out of public locations to free up more space for things such as tech centers, reading rooms, meetings rooms, and cultural events Should definitely do 20% 0% Should maybe do 39% 20% 40% Should definitely not do 36% 60% 80% 100%
- 26. Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely or not at all likely Online research service – “ask a librarian” 37% 36% 26% Cell app to use to access library services 35% 28% 35% A tech “petting zoo” to try out new stuff 35% 34% 29% Cell GPS app to navigate library 34% 28% 36% Kiosks (“Redbox”) around town for lib. checkouts 33% 30% 35% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
- 27. Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely or not at all likely Personalize, Amazon-style recommendations 29% 35% 34% Classes on how to download e-books 28% 29% 41% Pre-loaded e-book readers 26% 32% 39% Digital media lab to digitize personal material 26% 32% 40% Instruction on how to use e-reading devices 23% 0% 28% 20% 40% 48% 60% 80% 100%
- 28. My six points 1. Libraries are deeply appreciated at the community level 2. Libraries have a PR problem 3. Libraries are well used by some groups and are quite removed from others 4. Libraries have a mandate to intervene 5. The signals about what the public wants in the future from libraries are mixed 6. Reinvention is a community contact spor
- 29. “Market shortcomings” librarians could address
- 30. “Market shortcomings ”: Examples of community issues librarians could address 1) Technology non-users - skills training in new literacies 2) Pre-school programs 3) After school activities 4) English as a Second Language issues 5) Lifelong learning opportunities / credentialing competency 6) Fill gaps in local media ecosystem – community and civic information/curation 7) Help for small business / entrepreneurs / nonprofits 8) Serendipity agents of discovery
- 31. Be not afraid
- 32. Libraries.pewinternet.org Lee Rainie Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Lrainie Kathryn Zickuhr Email: [email protected] Twitter: @kzickuhr Kristen Purcell Email: @[email protected] Twitter: @kristenpurcell