Slides for the November 2021 Freckle Project update. For more information on this series visit https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/freckle_project_surveys_reports.

1. US public libraries
survey, October 2021
Results from the “Where did you get that
book?” surveys
April 2019 to October 2021
Tim Coates, the Freckle Project
3rd consumer survey
With thanks to the EveryLibrary Institute for
support and hosting.

2. Headlines
How people read, or use literature, in the US, has changed very
dramatically during the past 18 months – the months of the pandemic.
Public libraries have served the country well during that time.

3. Three surveys of reading and libraries in the US
• April 2019 – pre pandemic
• April 2021 – mid pandemic
• October 2021 – now
Question 1 – “Did you read or make use of a book in the last year?”

4. “Where did you get your book?” surveys
The surveys are conducted by online omnibus questionnaires across the whole of the US
They are representative of the US population by age, ethnicity and general demographic.
They are accurate to about 2.5% because of the nature of the questions asked.
Responses from those who work in publishing or libraries are excluded
Responses for those under age 17 come from family members on their behalf
The three surveys had sample size as follows (n=)
Date adult child total
April 2019 1200 400 1600
April 2021 704 219 923
October 2021 960 293 1253

5. All US: Did you read or make use of a book in the last year?
APRIL 2019
62%
16%
3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
81% answered ‘Yes’
Print book eBook Audio

6. All US: Did you read or make use of a book in the last 12 months?
APRIL 2021
62%
47%
16%
28%
3% 12%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
87% answered ‘Yes’
Print book eBook Audio

7. All US: Did you read or make use of a book in the last 12 months?
OCTOBER 2021
62%
47% 43%
16%
28% 30%
3% 12% 18%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
91% answered ‘Yes’
Print book eBook Audio

8. Thinking of the book you read or used most recently..
76%
54%
47%
24%
46%
53%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
Was it in print or digital?
Physical Digital

9. For the first time, children have shifted to digital reading
84%
74%
45%
16%
26%
55%
PRE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2019) DURING THE PANDEMIC (APRIL
2021)
OCT-21
Children’s reading by format
Print book eBook plus audio

10. For children- also a significant increase in the use of audio
84%
74%
45%
16%
26%
55%
3%
8% 21%
PRE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2019) DURING THE PANDEMIC (APRIL
2021)
OCT-21
Children’s reading by format, showing audio
Print Material Digital Material (eBook + Audio) Audio

11. Libraries provide about one fifth of reading
12% 15% 17%
3%
4% 2%
66%
67% 71%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
US: From where did you get your most recent book?
Public libraries Educational libraries Other sources

12. Libraries provide about one fifth of reading
12% 15% 17%
3% 4% 2%
25% 17% 15%
20%
14% 15%
16% 28% 31%
6% 8% 10%
PRE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2019) DURING THE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2021) OCT-21
From where did you get your most recent book?
Public libraries Educational libraries Friends or home
Brick and mortar store Internet store Free internet

13. Libraries have shared the growth in eBooks and audio
0.9%
5.6%
6.2%
0.2%
2.5%
3.7%
PRE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2019) DURING THE PANDEMIC (APRIL 2021) OCT-21
% share of US reading from libraries digital material
Ebooks Audio

14. Library services are highly regarded – October 2021
• When you went to the library were you able to do what you wanted?
• 91% say ‘Yes’
• Looking for an item to read did they have what you wanted?
• 86% say ‘Yes’
• Did you ask the staff for help?
• 47% said ‘Yes’
• Did the staff give you the help you wanted?
• 82% say ‘Yes’
• Did you use automatic checkouts?
• 51% say ‘Yes’
• Would you recommend the library to others?
• 93% say ‘Yes’

15. 51% of all US respondents used a library website or App– October 2021
• Was it to use the eBook or audio catalog?
• 28% say ‘Yes’
• Was it to use the print book catalog or make print reservations?
• 24% say ‘Yes’
• Was it for information about the library?
• 20% say ‘Yes’
• Was it for other information ?
• 8% say ‘Yes’
• Was it to look up programs or events
• 10% say ‘Yes’
• Would you recommend the library app or website to others?
• 93% say Yes

16. In October 2021 these were the reasons for a library visit
60%
11% 2% 8% 2% 4% 4% 2% 4% 2% 2% 0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
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18. How much of the library service is ‘online’?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
How library patrons use the service- April 2019
Borrow and read printed books Read inquire and study
Programs events and meetings Online material

19. How much of the library service is ‘online’?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
How library patrons use the service- April 2021
Borrow and read printed books Read inquire and study
Programs events and meetings Online material

20. How much of the library service is ‘online’?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre pandemic (April 2019) During the pandemic (April 2021) Oct-21
How library patrons use the service – October 2021
Borrow and read printed books Read inquire and study
Programs events and meetings Online material

21. Thank
you
For more analysis of public library strategy
read the Freckle reports, 20 and 21,
available in print from Amazon or from
library vendors
Previous webinars at
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/webi
nars_on_demand
Tim Coates - tim@freckle.us
Recorded 18 November 2021