This document summarizes findings from the Pew Research Center's research on how Americans use libraries and interact with books, reading, and digital media. It finds that while books and in-person browsing are still important library activities, technology and digital media are also commonly used. Most Americans feel it is important for libraries to offer services like librarian assistance, books, computers/internet access, and quiet study spaces. However, many are open to new digital services from libraries as well. Overall, the research suggests libraries continue evolving their roles to provide both access to information and guidance on using tools and finding reliable information in the digital age.

1. Books, libraries, and the
changing digital landscape
Kathryn Zickuhr
Research Associate
November 12, 2013
University of Chicago, Cultural Policy Center
@kzickuhr | @pewinternet | @pewresearch

2. About the Pew Research Center
• Non-partisan “fact tank” in Washington, DC,
made up of seven projects
• Does not promote specific technologies or make
policy recommendations
More: pewresearch.org
@pewresearch
@pewinternet
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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3. About our libraries research
Three phases:
I.
State of reading
II. Library services
III. Typology
Three-year grant from the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study the
changing role of public libraries in the digital age
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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4. About our libraries research
Quantitative: Phone surveys
• Landlines and cell phones
• English and Spanish
• Americans ages 16 & older
• Nationally representative
Qualitative: Online questionnaires and
in-person focus groups
More: libraries.pewinternet.org

6. Internet use over time
% of adults ages 18+ who go online, 1995-present
85%
(2013)
90%
80%
70%
50%
60%
(2000)
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
14%
(1995)
0%
November 12, 2013
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7. Daily news sources
% of respondents who got news “yesterday” from each platform
80%
70%
60%
TV
Radio
Newspaper
Online
Any Digital News
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991
November 12, 2013
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
stateofthemedia.org
2009
2012
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8. Adults’ gadget ownership (18+)
• 91% of adults have a cell phone
• 61% have a laptop computer
• 58% have a desktop computer
• 55% have a smartphone
• 34% have a tablet computer
• 24% have an e-reader
November 12, 2013
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9. Tablets & e-readers by age group
E-readers
Tablets
50%
45%
46%
44%
40%
35%
37%
30%
25%
20%
31%
30%
24%
24%
22%
18% 18%
15%
10%
5%
0%
16-17*
18-29
Source: Pew Internet September 2013 survey.
30-49
50-64
65+

10. More: stateofthemedia.org
November 12, 2013
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11. E-reading is on the rise
% of all 16+ who read a book in each format in the past year
80%
70%
60%
72%
67%
50%
2011
40%
2012
30%
20%
16%
10%
23%
0%
Print books
E-books
Source: Pew Internet December 2011 / November 2012 surveys.

12. Book reading by age group
Among readers, the % in each age group who read a book in print or an e-book
in the past year (2012)
Print
E-books
100%
94%
91%
80%
91%
90%
85%
60%
40%
20%
41%
28%
31%
23%
20%
0%
16-17
18-29
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey.
30-49
50-64
65+

13. Why Americans read
% in each age group who read any type of material (including books, magazines,
journals, newspapers, & online content) for the following reasons:
Ages 16-29
Ages 30+
90%
80%
81%
76%
70%
81%
73%
79%
81%
73%
60%
50%
40%
49%
30%
20%
10%
0%
For work or school
For pleasure
Source: Pew Internet December 2011 survey.
To keep up with To research topics
current events
of interest
libraries.pewinternet.org

14. E-books beyond e-readers
Among people who read e-books, the % in each age group who read their e-books on
the following devices (2011)
Ages 16-29
30 and older
60%
55%
50%
40%
46%
41%
38%
30%
20%
25%
26%
23%
16%
10%
0%
Cell phone
Desktop or laptop
Source: Pew Internet December 2011 survey.
E-reader
Tablet
libraries.pewinternet.org

15. Which is better for these purposes, a
printed book or an e-book?
Among those 16+ who read both a print book & an e-book in the past year (2011)
Print
E-books
100%
80%
83%
81%
73%
69%
60%
53%
40%
43% 45%
35%
20%
0%
25%
19%
9%
Reading with Sharing with
a child
others
Reading in
bed
Source: Pew Internet December 2011 survey.
Having a
wide
selection
Reading
while
traveling
13%
Get books
quickly
libraries.pewinternet.org

17. AT THE LIBRARY
Books & browsing still central
Among those who visited a library in-person in the past year, the %
who did the following activities
Borrow books
73%
Browse the stacks
73%
54%
Research topics of interest
50%
Get help from a librarian
Read magazines/newspapers
31%
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey. Data is for library visitors ages 16+.

18. What Americans say it is important
for libraries to offer
Very important
Somewhat important
Librarians to help people find info
80
16
Borrowing books
80
15
Free access to computers/internet
77
18
Quiet study spaces
76
19
Programs for children & teens
74
21
Research resources like databases
73
20
Job/career resources
67
Free events/activities
22
63
Free public meeting spaces
30
49
0
20
36
40
60
80
100

19. “Our customers are still using
the library but in different ways.
They browse our catalog
online, place reserves on the
items they want, then pick
them up at their location of
choice… Fewer browse the
collection in person.”
– Library staff member
November 12, 2013
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20. AT THE LIBRARY
Technology & media use at the library
Among those who visited a library in-person in the past year,
the % who did the following activities
46%
Use a research database
40%
Borrow a DVD
Use computer or internet
26%
Borrow an audio book
17%
Borrow a music CD
16%
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey. Data is for library visitors ages 16+.

21. E-reading is on the rise
Borrowing is just getting started
23% of Americans read an
e-book in 2012, up from
16% in 2011
5% of recent library
users have borrowed an
e-book in past year, as
of late 2012

22. “We spend a significant
part of our day explaining
how to get library books
onto e-book readers.”
– Library staff member
November 12, 2013
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23. ?
?
?
62% of Americans
say they do not
know if their library
lends out e-books.
This includes 58% of
library card holders.
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey.

24. What Americans say it is important
for libraries to offer
Very important
Somewhat important
Librarians to help people find info
80
16
Borrowing books
80
15
Free access to computers/internet
77
18
Quiet study spaces
76
19
Programs for children & teens
74
21
Research resources like databases
73
20
Job/career resources
67
Free events/activities
22
63
Free public meeting spaces
30
49
0
20
36
40
60
80
100

25. AT THE LIBRARY
Libraries as community spaces
Among those who visited a library in-person in the past year,
the % who did the following activities
49%
Sit, read, and study, etc
41%
Event for children/teens
Attend a meeting of a group
Attend a class/lecture for adults
23%
21%
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey. Data is for library visitors ages 16+.

26. What Americans say it is important
for libraries to offer
Very important
Somewhat important
Librarians to help people find info
80
16
Borrowing books
80
15
Free access to computers/internet
77
18
Quiet study spaces
76
19
Programs for children & teens
74
21
Research resources like databases
73
20
Job/career resources
67
Free events/activities
22
63
Free public meeting spaces
30
49
0
20
36
40
60
80
100

27. Summary: How Americans use libraries
56% of Americans 16+ used a library in the past year
• 53% visited in person
• 25% used website
Books, browsing, librarians are still central, both in how
people use libraries and in their conception of libraries
…but technology is also a common use and a high priority
More: libraries.pewinternet.org
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey.

28. How likely would you be to use…
Very likely
Somewhat likely
"Ask a librarian" online service
Not too likely or not at all likely
37
36
26
Library app
35
Tech try-out program
35
Cell GPS app
34
28
36
Library kiosks in community
33
30
35
Personalized accounts
35
34
29
Classes on borrowing e-books
28
28
29
35
34
29
41
Pre-loaded e-readers
26
32
39
Digital media lab
26
32
40
Classes on e-readers
23
0
28
20
40
48
60
80
100

29. Should libraries…
Should definitely do
Should maybe do
Should definitely not do
Coordinate more with schools
85
Free literacy programs
11 2
82
Separate spaces for different services
61
Have more comfortable spaces
14
59
Offer more e-books
30
47
Help users digitize own materials
12
14
34
41
20
5
39
42
Make MOST services automated
9
38
43
Move MOST library services online
9
28
53
More interactive learning experiences
Move stacks out of public locations
27
36
39
19
20
36
3

30. What do Americans want?
More activities, events for
children & teens, separate
spaces
…and print books, quiet
Convenience (apps, e-books,
kiosks)
… and closer relationships with
librarians
November 12, 2013
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31. Now what?
Fewer traditional touchpoints
• E-books and online services
• Search engines for “short answer” questions
• Awareness of services
November 12, 2013
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32. Now what?
Fewer traditional touchpoints
• E-books and online services
• Search engines for “short answer” questions
• Awareness of services
Convenience and connection
• Social media, email, apps, websites
• Personalized services, recommendations
• “Digital literacies” beyond the classroom
November 12, 2013
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33. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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34. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools
(computers, internet)
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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35. 71% of teens with home
computer access say the laptop
or desktop they use most often
is one they share with other
family members.
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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36. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
Access to information
resources (books,
media, databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
36

37. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
37

38. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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39. The sources students are “very likely” to use in a
typical research assignment*:
• Google / search engine (94%)
• Wikipedia (75%)
• YouTube / social media (52%)
• Their peers (42%)
• Spark Notes, Cliff Notes (41%)
• News sites of major news organizations (25%)
• Print or electronic textbooks (18%)
• Online databases such as EBSCO, JSTOR (17%)
• A research librarian at school or public library (16%)
• Printed books other than textbooks (12%)
• Student-oriented search engines like Sweet Search (10%)
* According to middle and high school AP & NWP teachers

40. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
40

41. Libraries’ evolving roles
Providing access to
information – and
guidance:
Access to tools (computers,
internet)
• More complicated
research queries
Access to information
resources (books, media,
databases)
• Databases / “beyond
search engines”
How to use tools
How to find & verify
information
November 12, 2013
• New literacies
• All types of information
www.pewinternet.org
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42. Libraries’ evolving roles
“[Our strength is]
connecting the community
with technology and
knowledge.”
“A warm, welcoming and
friendly space is hard to
find these days”
More: bit.ly/libthoughts
November 12, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
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43. Thank you!
Kathryn Zickuhr
Pew Research Center
Research Associate
pewresearch.org
pewresearch.org/internet
kzickuhr@pewresearch.org
November 12, 2013
University of Chicago, Cultural Policy Center
@kzickuhr | @pewinternet | @pewresearch