Pew Internet Report Shows Consumers Want More Technology

The Pew Research Center’s Internet and Family Life Project has released another report based this time on library usage and how patrons’ attitudes towards libraries are shifting, both for the better and otherwise.

According to a statement in the report’s summary, “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.”

Some of the data about actual library use was very positive, showing people’s attitudes towards their public libraries–and therefore, the support for public libraries–at a steady high:

• 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.

The report went on to discuss the changing role of the library, at least in the minds of patrons and consumers. It turns out that the public wants more technology in libraries, with some of the most interesting concepts being GPS-navigation to their devices to help them locate content in the library quickly, as well as what Pew has coined as a technology “petting zoo,” where patrons can try out the latest technology and spend some time with it before buying it for themselves. These attitudes demonstrate that the public does not feel that libraries are dusty remnants of days gone by, but rather vital and vibrant parts of the community that have the future potential for impacting society.

Some of the attractive features for libraries as outlined in the study were:

• 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.

The Pew Research Center will be presenting the details of this study at the American Library Association Midwinter conference in Seattle this week.