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Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media |
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| Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media |
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ˇ Certain groups are more likely to have a library card then others - Echo Boomers (those between 18-31) are more likely to have one over other age categories (70% versus 68-65%); women over men (73% versus 62%); Hispanics over African Americans and Whites (72% versus 67% and 66%); Midwesterners (72%) and Westerners (71%) over Easterners (65%) and Southerners (63%); ˇ Politically there is also a difference as Democrats are more likely to have a library card over Republicans and Independents (71% versus 67% and 61%); and, ˇ Over one-third (35%) of people with a library card have used the library 1 to 5 times in the past year and 15 percent have used it more than 25 times in the past year. This non-commissioned survey, which was conceived and developed by Harris Interactive with valuable input from the American Library Association (ALA), also found that among those people who do have a library card, there are different ways to use the library and different things to do at the library: ˇ Three quarters (76%) of those with a library card visited their libraries last year, while two in five (41%) visited their library online; ˇ While libraries now offer many different services for patrons, the favorite is still checking out books -- two in five (39%) people with a library card say this is one of the top two things for which they use a library, about one in ten (12%) use the library for borrowing CDs, videos or computer software, 10 percent use a computer to see what the library has available, 9 percent use reference materials and 8 percent use libraries to connect to the Internet; and ˇ Among those who do not have a library card, over one-quarter of those (27%) say it is because they don't use or visit the library. Additionally, 16 percent say it is because they don't need or want one and 12 percent because they purchase books. Women are more likely then men (15% vs. 9%) to say they don't have a library card because they buy books; Whether they use the library or not, all Americans have a point of view about their local library: ˇ Almost all Americans (92%) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven in ten agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72%), a community center (71%), a family destination (70%), and a cultural center (69%); ˇ Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three in five Americans (59%) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional one in five (22%) are somewhat satisfied; and, ˇ Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher -- over two-thirds (68%) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional one in five (22%) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries as two in five (40%) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied. So What? According to Jim Rettig, ALA President, "America's 16,543 public libraries offer a wealth of resources - from preschool literacy to homework help to computer classes. Libraries bridge the divide between those who have access to information and those who do not by providing free and equal access to information to people of all ages and backgrounds." According to Regina A. Corso, Director of The Harris Poll, "Two-thirds of Americans are currently taking advantage of their library resources and among all Americans it is clear the educational aspect of libraries is recognized as such an important source in the community." "Because libraries bring access to all, they bring opportunity to all," Rettig said. "Your library card is the smartest card you can own and one of the best gifts you can give your child. It can't break, won't wear out and won't be outgrown." www.HealthNewsDigest.com Top of Page 
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