The document summarizes research from the Pew Research Center over three years into Americans' relationships with public libraries. It finds that while books and in-person services remain important, technology and digital collections are also increasingly central. Specifically: - 54% of Americans used a public library in the past year, with books, browsing, and librarian assistance still top activities, though computers and e-books are growing in popularity. - Low-income households rely more on libraries and value most services as very important, including books, quiet spaces, job/career resources, and children's programs. - Most Americans say libraries are important community institutions but many are unfamiliar with digital services like e-book lending; there

1. Public library engagement
in the United States
An overview of three years of research into Americans’
relationships with public libraries in the digital age
Pew Research Center’s Internet Project
@pewinternet | @pewresearch

2. 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
About our libraries research
August 18, 2014 2www.pewinternet.org

3. libraries.pewinternet.org
Nationally representative
telephone surveys
Landlines and cell phones
English and Spanish
Americans ages 16 and older
3August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet
About our libraries research

4. Overview
• Relationships to libraries are part of Americans’ broader
resource networks
• Once libraries are a part of their networks, services are
especially important to low-income households
• Books, browsing, and librarians are still central to how
people use libraries and what they expect from them.
• However, technology (computers, internet) is also a
common use and a high priority.
• Public libraries are also used and viewed as important
community spaces.
4August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

5. August 18, 2014 www.pewproject.org 5
Americans’ reading habits
Report: The rise of e-reading (2012)
Report: Libraries, patrons, and e-books (2012)
Report: E-Reading Rises as Device Ownership Jumps (2014)

6. Americans’ reading habits
Print is still the anchor of Americans’ reading habits, but e-
reading is growing more popular.
• 76% of adults read a book in some format over the
previous year.
• The typical American read five books in the last 12
months (median)
• 28% of Americans read an e-book in the previous year.
6August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

7. Most adults read a book in the past year.
Print remains most popular, but e-reading is
on the rise
Among American adults 18 and older, the % who read at least one
book (in total, in print, or as an e-book) in the past year (Source).
Total includes audiobooks (not shown).
79
71
17
74
65
23
76
69
28
Total (any format) Read a print book Read an e-book
2011 2012 2014

8. Put another way: Almost half of readers under
30 read an e-book in the past year
Among those in each age group who read at least one book in the
past year, the % who read an e-book during that time (Source).
25 25
19
12
31
41
23 20
47
42
35
17
18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
Dec 2011 Nov 2012 Jan 2014

9. Half of American adults now own either a
tablet or an e-reader
Among American adults 18 and older (Source).
32%
42%
50%
2010 2011 2012 2013
Have an e-reader
Have a tablet
Have either tablet or e-reader

10. As tablet ownership grows, more Americans
use them for e-books
Among all e-book readers ages 18 and older, the % who read e-
books on each device (Source).
41
23
42
28
57 55
29
32
E-reader Tablet Computer Cell phone
2011 2014

11. 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)
81%
69%
43%
35%
19%
13%9%
25%
45%
53%
73%
83%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Reading with
a child
Sharing with
others
Reading in
bed
Having a
wide
selection
Reading
while
traveling
Get books
quickly
Print E-books
Source: Pew Internet December 2011 survey. libraries.pewinternet.org

12. August 18, 2014 www.pewproject.org 12
How Americans use public libraries
Report: Library Services in the Digital Age (2013)
Report: Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading (2013)
Report: How Americans Value Public Libraries in Their Communities (2013)

13. Americans and public libraries
• 54% of Americans used a public library in the past year
• 48% visited in person
• 30% used a library website
• 72% of Americans live in a “library household”
• 91% of Americans say libraries are important to their
community as a whole; 76% say libraries are important
to them and their family
• Relationships to libraries are part of Americans’ broader
resource networks
13August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

14. If your local public library closed, what impact
would that have?
Among American adults 16 and older (Source).
29
63
38
27
32
7
Impact on you and
your family
Impact on your
community
Major impact Minor impact No impact

15. Library services that are “very important”
Among Americans who have ever used a public library or had a household member use one
54
51
47
45
44
33
30
29
28
Books and media
Having a quiet, safe place
Research resources
Programs for youth
Librarian assistance
Internet, computers, printers
Help finding, applying for job
Help applying for gov't services
Programs for adults
15August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

16. Adults living in lower-income households are more likely to say
public library services are very important to them and their families
Among American adults 16 and older (Source).
61
49
56
37
46
15
66
39
55
33
44
16
61
34
47
20
38
18
Less than $30,000
At least $75,000
Less than $30,000
At least $75,000
Less than $30,000
At least $75,000
Books and media Quiet spaces Research resources
Youth programs Librarian assistance Internet/computers
Job search help Gov’t services help Programs for adults
Household income

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

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

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
August 18, 2014 19www.pewinternet.org

20. 16%
17%
26%
40%
46%
Borrow a music CD
Borrow an audio book
Use computer or internet
Borrow a DVD
Use a research database
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
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
28% of Americans read an
e-book in the past year, 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
August 18, 2014 22www.pewinternet.org

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

25. 21%
23%
41%
49%
Attend a class/lecture for adults
Attend a meeting of a group
Event for children/teens
Sit, read, and study, etc
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
Source: Pew Internet November 2012 survey. Data is for library visitors ages 16+.

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

27. August 18, 2014 www.pewproject.org 27
What Americans want from libraries
Report: Library Services in the Digital Age (2013)

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

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

30. What do Americans want from libraries?
More activities, more separate
spaces
…and print books, quiet
Convenience & tech (apps, e-books,
kiosks)
… and closer relationships with
librarians
30August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

31. August 18, 2014 www.pewproject.org 31
The Library Engagement Typology
Report: “From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers–and beyond”
Quiz: “What kind of library users are you?”

32. Overview (Full report)
• Relationships to libraries are part of Americans’ broader
resource networks
• Once libraries are a part of their networks, services are
especially important to low-income households
• Books, browsing, and librarians are still central to how
people use libraries and what they expect from them.
• However, technology (computers, internet) is also a
common use and a high priority.
• Public libraries are also used and viewed as important
community spaces.
32August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet

33. Typology groups by level of library engagement
Among all Americans ages 16+ who have ever used a public library or had a
household member use a public library
33August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet
Library
Lovers
10%
Info
Omnivores
20%
Solid Center
30%
9%
Not for Me
4%
Young &
Restless
7%
7%
Distant
Admirers
10%
Off the Grid
4%
Print Traditionalists
Rooted &
Roadblocked
Level of engagement
with public libraries:
High Engagement (30%)
Medium Engagement (39%)
Low Engagement (17%)
No personal library use (14%)
Note: Percentages in the chart may not add up to the percentages
in the legend due to rounding.

34. Urban typology groups by level of library engagement
Among Americans living in urban areas who have ever used a public library or had a
household member use a public library
34August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet
Library
Lovers
11%
Info
Omnivores
24%
Solid Center
30%
4%
Not for Me
4%
Young &
Restless
9%
7%
Distant
Admirers
5%
Off the Grid
10%
Print
Traditionalists
Rooted &
Roadblocked
Level of engagement
with public libraries:
High Engagement (30%)
Medium Engagement (39%)
Low Engagement (17%)
No personal library use (14%)
Note: Percentages in the chart may not add up to the percentages
in the legend due to rounding.

35. Suburban typology groups by level of library engagement
Among Americans living in suburban areas who have ever used a public library or had
a household member use a public library
35August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet
Library
Lovers
10%
Info
Omnivores
21%
Solid Center
32%8%
Not for Me
4%
Young &
Restless
6%
7%
Distant
Admirers
10%
Off the Grid
3%
Print
Traditionalists
Rooted &
Roadblocked
Level of engagement
with public libraries:
High Engagement (30%)
Medium Engagement (39%)
Low Engagement (17%)
No personal library use (14%)
Note: Percentages in the chart may not add up to the percentages
in the legend due to rounding.

36. Rural typology groups by level of library engagement
Among Americans living in rural areas who have ever used a public library or had a
household member use a public library
36August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org / @kzickuhr / @pewinternet
Library
Lovers
8%
Info
Omnivores
12%
Solid Center
27%
21%
Not for Me
5%
Young &
Restless
4%
7%
Distant
Admirers
12%
Off the Grid
6%
Print
Traditionalists
Rooted &
Roadblocked
Level of engagement
with public libraries:
High Engagement (30%)
Medium Engagement (39%)
Low Engagement (17%)
No personal library use (14%)
Note: Percentages in the chart may not add up to the percentages
in the legend due to rounding.

37. 37August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org @pewinternet
10%
3%
6%
5%
10%
12%
5%
7%
7%
9%
6%
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
8%
21%
30%
32%
27%
24%
21%
12%
11% 10% 8%
Urban Suburban Rural
Library Lovers
Information Omnivores
Solid Center
Print Traditionalists
Not for Me
Young & Restless
Rooted & Roadblocked
Distant Admirers
Off the Grid
Public library
engagement by
community type

38. 38August 18, 2014 libraries.pewinternet.org @pewinternet
10%
3%
6%
5%
10%
12%
5%
7%
7%
9%
6%
4%
4%
4%
5%
4%
8%
21%
30%
32%
27%
24%
21%
12%
11% 10% 8%
Urban Suburban Rural
Public library
engagement by
community type
Level of engagement
with public libraries:
High Engagement
Medium Engagement
Low Engagement
No personal library use

39. August 18, 2014 www.pewproject.org 39
What kind of library use are you?
Take the quiz