1. YOU ASKED
How Do Americans Use
Public Libraries?
70 percent of Americans say that the
COURTESY OF CAROL BREY-CASIANO
public library improves the quality
of life in their community
BY CAROL BREY-CASIANO
P
ublic libraries are at the center 70 percent of Americans say that the
Carol Brey-Casiano of American life. Public public library improves the quality
is currently an libraries help students with of life in their community. And 96
information resource homework, help entrepreneurs percent of Americans believe that,
officer with the U.S. manage businesses, provide busy because libraries provide free access to
Department of State. parents with access to parenting information and resources, they play
A past president of
information, and offer senior citizens an important role in giving everyone a
the American Library
Association, the oldest up-to-date health information. Some chance to succeed.
and largest library
association in the
world, she has worked
in public libraries
for 30 years, serving
as director of public
libraries in El Paso,
Texas; Las Cruces,
New Mexico; and
Oak Park, Illinois.
WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES
GOT A QUESTION
ABOUT THE U.S.?
Public libraries have many resources for immigrants. Here desk assistant Mani Neupane helps Shahla
ASK US USING Mostafavi and her son Parsa Fallahi, 7, as they check out books at Gaithersburg Library in Maryland.
YOUR PHONE. Mostafavi immigrated from Iran 10 years ago. She finds the library a useful place to learn English.
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

2. YOU ASKED: HOW DO AMERICANS USE PUBLIC LIBRARIES? 2
Public libraries in the United
States were first established in the
mid- to late 1800’s, when increased
interest in public education and
the desire to share knowledge led
to broad public support for free
© AP IMAGES/ INDEPENDENT-MAIL, KEN RUINARD
libraries. They were intended
to provide a way for people to
continue their education after they
finished school, and for that reason,
the public library is often called
the “people’s university” — a place
where everyone can learn, with free
access to a wide variety of print and
electronic resources.
Today, U.S. public libraries
Elizabeth Darrah, left,
offer computers with free Internet adults. Many libraries sponsor Summer
of Anderson, South
access and other electronic resources. Reading programs that offer incentives Carolina, watches her
As more businesses and government to encourage patrons of all ages to 3-year-old daughter
agencies require applicants to apply read during the summer. They also Rebekah reach for a
book as her youngest
for jobs online, many public libraries sponsor cultural programs, such as
daughter, 14-month-old
now help patrons complete online author readings, art exhibits, book fairs Sarah Beth, looks at a
job applications, provide access to and other events to draw people in. book in the Anderson
job databases, and offer software or Public libraries also provide meeting County Library’s Scripps
Howard Children’s
other resources to help patrons create rooms and auditoriums for use by
Library. The family was
résumés. In fact, many U.S. public local community groups, in addition to attending a “story time”
libraries provide the only free public rooms for individual and group study. event to encourage
access to computers and the Internet Public libraries in the United children under the age
of 6 to read.
available in their communities. Wireless States are supported by local taxes;
access is now offered at more than 80 they also receive some state and federal
percent of U.S. public libraries. funds. These funds are supplemented
In a more traditional vein, public by Friends of the Library groups
libraries offer a wide variety of books and library foundations, and these
and other reading material — including nongovernmental sources of funding
sturdy “board books” for toddlers, have become increasingly important in
illustrated picture books for children, the current economic climate as local
novels for young adults and books budgets tighten. According to a report
and magazines for adults on almost by international library cooperative
every topic imaginable. To encourage OCLC, 31 percent of Americans ages
reading and enhance literacy in their 14 and older say that the local public
communities, public libraries sponsor library has become more valuable
programs for all ages — from story to their community because of the
times for children, to reading programs downturn in the economy.
for youths and popular lectures for
Please send suggestions for additional You Asked topics to YouAsked@state.gov.
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE