Libraries are the living, breathing internet that existed long before the digital network that we know today. They are the connected nodes of information and community exchange that we have relied on to communicate, collaborate, share resources and preserve knowledge in our societies for centuries. But there are concerns about the future of physical libraries, given that so many of us have easy access to virtual libraries of information on our computers at home. Recent Pew Internet Project research examines technology use by teenagers and suggests how the behavior and expectations of young internet users might shape the libraries of the future.

1. Young and Wired How today’s young tech elite will influence the libraries of tomorrow 11.03.06 Mary Madden Tampa Bay Library Consortium Annual Meeting

5. Internet and Broadband Adoption 1996-2006 All internet - 147 mill. Broadband - 83 mill.

13. Today’s Teen – Born 1990 Personal computers are 15 years old Tim Berners-Lee writes World Wide Web program

14. Today’s Teen – First Grade 1996 Palm Pilot goes on the market

16. Today’s Teen – Starts Middle School 2001 Wikipedia - 2001

17. Today’s Teen – Middle School 2001

18. Today’s Teen – Middle School 2003 Skype - 2003

19. Today’s Teen – Starts High School 2004 Podcasts – 2004

20. Today’s Teen – Sophomore Year 2005 YouTube – 2005

27. Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M, March 2005

28. Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M, March 2005