Libraries solve problems Lee Rainie – Director Pew Internet Project Computers in Libraries April 7, 2008

Libraries solve problems April 7, Who’s blogging this? Writings of a Loud Librarian – October 31, 2005 Indiana Librarian Marissa Priddis

Libraries solve problems April 7, “Rainie was funny, at ease, informative and we found ourselves do a lot of ‘Huh...I didn't know that’ during his speech. Very, very cool.”

Libraries solve problems April 7, “Good crisp presentation … backed with some actual research and drawing out the implications for educators, a list of which should be posted on the wall of every school ….”

Libraries solve problems April 7, “He’s a lot older than I imagined.” “Looks like a typical Foundation suit.”

Libraries solve problems April 7, “While he may look older than some expected, and appears to be just another Foundation suit, he's a very intelligent man, and worth paying attention to.”

Libraries solve problems April 7, Beth Carpenter “Hey, Rainie, this is for you: "A fast- paced, informative session from a knowledgeable and entertaining speaker! I feel like this was just the tip of the iceberg, like there's so much more we could learn from Mr. Rainie if we only had more time…." :) ”

Libraries solve problems April 7, Most important finding of the project !

A quick status report on Pew Internet data about the new information ecosystem

Information ecology: Then and Now… Industrial Age Info was: Scarce Expensive Institutionally oriented Information Age Info is: Abundant Cheap Personally oriented

% of adults use internet 5% with broadband at home 50% own a cell phone 0% connect to internet wirelessly = slow and stationery connections % of adults use internet 54% with broadband at home 78% own a cell phone 62% connect to internet wirelessly = fast and mobile connections Internet then and now

Libraries solve problems April 7, Media ecology – then Product Route to home Display Local storage TV stations phone TVCassette/ 8-track broadcast TV radio broadcast radio stereoVinyl album News mail Advertising newspaper delivery phone paper Radio Stationsnon-electronic Tom Wolzien, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co

Libraries solve problems April 7, Media ecology – now Product Route to home Display Local storage cableTiVo (PVR)VCR TV stations DSLTV Info wireless/phoneradioDVD “Daily me” broadcast TVPCWeb-based storage content iPod /MP3server/ TiVo (PVR) Cable Nets broadcast radiostereoPC Web sites satellitemonitorweb storage Local news mailheadphonesCD/CD-ROM Content from express deliverypager individuals iPod / storageportable gamerMP3 player / iPod Peer-to-peer subcarriers / WIFIcell phonepagers - PDAs Advertising newspaper deliveryphonecable box Radio stations camcorder/cameraPDA/Palmgame console game console paper Satellite radionon-electronicstorage sticks/disks Adapted from Tom Wolzien, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of young adult internet users have uploaded photos to the internet % of all users have done this Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of online teens have created their own profile on a social network site like MySpace or Facebook % of online adults have such profiles Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of online teens share their own creations online, such as artwork, photos, stories, or videos % of online adults have done this Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of young adults have created or worked on webpages or blogs for others, including those for groups they belong to, friends or school assignments % of online adults do this Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of college students keep blogs and regularly post 54% read blogs % of online adults have a blog 35% read them Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of young adult internet users have uploaded videos to the web % of all adult internet users have done this Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of online teens report keeping their own personal webpage % of online adults have their own page Content creation

Libraries solve problems April 7, Content creation 20% of online young adults say they remix content they find online into their own artistic creations % of online adults have done this

Libraries solve problems April 7, % of online young adults have created an avatar that interacts with others online % of all adult internet users have done this Content creation

New research on libraries in this information ecosystem 1) Patronage patterns 2) Problem-solving capacities

Libraries solve problems April 7, Background of research Institute for Museum and Library Services grant UIC partnership Government Printing Office query 231/report_display.asp

Libraries solve problems April 7, Basic question How do people get information to help them solve problems that could have a government connection or be aided by government resources? – Not a look at general-interest information searches

Problem – 1 (… in the past two years)Yes Dealt with a serious illness or other health condition, either yourself or someone close to you 45% Made a decision about schooling, paying for education, or getting training for yourself or for a child 39 Needed information about property taxes or income taxes 34 Changed jobs, retired, or started your own business 25 Needed information about Medicare / Medicaid / food stamps 23

Problem – 2 (… in the past two years)Yes Needed information about Social Security / military benefits 20% Wanted information about voter registration or a government action, program, or policy19 Look for help from local government with a problem like traffic or schools 15 Involved in a criminal matter, a lawsuit, or other legal action 10 Became a citizen / helped someone with immigration 5

79.5% had experienced at least one problem = Approx. 169 million adults and that is the target population for this research

Libraries solve problems April 7, Focus on special population Particular attention was paid to those in with “low access” <$40,000, non-internet users, or dial-up access at home – High access = 64% – Low access = 36% 13% dial-up 23% no access

Libraries solve problems April 7, Concentrate on special information hubs What is the role in such searches that is played by libraries and government agencies?

Libraries solve problems April 7, Survey logistics Fielded June 27–Sept 4, ,796 completed interviews – over- sample of 733 low-access respondents Margin of error 3 percentage points Response rate 27.1%

New research on libraries in this information ecosystem 1) Patronage patterns 2) Problem-solving capacities

Libraries solve problems April 7, Visited library in the past year 53% of American adults Gen. (ages) Gen Y (18-30) Gen X (31-42) Trailing Boomers (43-52) Leading Boomers (53-61) Matures (62-71) After Work (72+) % who visited a public library 62%59%57%46%42%32%

Libraries solve problems April 7, Shhhhhhhhhh - brand new teens data 60% of online teens use the internet at libraries – up from 36% in 2000

Libraries solve problems April 7, Public library patrons are more likely to be … Those with higher income – Household >$60,000 = 61% – Household <$40,000 = 48%

Libraries solve problems April 7, Those with high educational attainment – College grad = 68% – High school diploma or dropout = 42% Public library patrons are more likely to be …

Libraries solve problems April 7, Those who are internet users – Internet user = 61% – Non-user = 28% Public library patrons are more likely to be …

Libraries solve problems April 7, High access (broadband in their lives) – High access = 62% – Low access = 38% Public library patrons are more likely to be …

Libraries solve problems April 7, Parents with children living at home – Parent = 63% – No minor child = 48% Public library patrons are more likely to be …

Libraries solve problems April 7, No significant differences by race and ethnicity – Whites = 53% – Blacks = 53% – English-speaking Hispanics = 53% Public library patrons are more likely to be …

Libraries solve problems April 7, New research on libraries in this information ecosystem 1) Patronage patterns 2) Problem-solving capacities (mixed results)

Libraries solve problems April 7, What sources did you use for most recent problem? 58% of those who had recently experienced one of those problems said they used the internet to get help (not including secondary internet users) 53% said they turned to professionals such as doctors, lawyers or financial experts 45% turned to friends and family members

Libraries solve problems April 7, What sources did you use …? (2) 36% consulted newspapers, magazines, books 34% directly contacted a government office or agency 16% consult television and radio 13% went to the public library 11% used another source not mentioned in survey

Libraries solve problems April 7, Who turns to libraries for problem solving Young adults (18-29) = 21% Oldest (over 70) = 15% Blacks = 26% Latinos = 22% Lower income (HH <$40,000) = 17%

Libraries solve problems April 7, Most popular problem-solving searches at libraries Made a decision about schooling, paying for education, or getting training for yourself or for a child Jobs Serious illness Taxes Medicare / Medicaid / food stamps

Problem HealthEducationTaxes Medicare/ Medicaid Change job status Social Security Source of info. Internet 46%77%60%45%66%41% Professionals 83%40%48%43%27%38% Family or Friends 51%50%26%28%58%31% Print sources 37%38%32%33%43%27% Government Agency 15%27%56%60%27%71% TV or Radio 16%15%21%14% Library 10%20%10% 11%7%

Libraries solve problems April 7, Once they are at the library, they are active AND happy 69% got help from library staff 68% used computers – 38% got one-on-one instruction 58% sought reference materials 42% used newspapers and magazines

Search success in problem solving Very SuccessfulA lot of information Government agency65%49% Public library64%36% Internet63%55% Professionals / experts 61%NA Newspapers, mags, books 57%NA Family and friends56%NA TV and radio55%NA

Libraries solve problems April 7, Future intentions on library visits 29% said they likely would go to libraries –Less well off – 40% (under $40,000) –Gen Y – 41% –Less educated – 41% –Latinos – 42% –Blacks – 48% –Regular library patrons – 68%

Libraries solve problems April 7, Privacy concerns About a fifth of Americans with problems to address said they were concerned about privacy disclosures as they hunted for information. These concerns influenced the method they ultimately chose for gathering information, and they were somewhat more pronounced for the low-access group.

Libraries solve problems April 7, Takeaways and Implications -1 Public education efforts about what you do, how you do it AND HOW YOU HAVE CHANGED could pay off. –Focus on success stories and competence The people who know you best are the ones who keep coming back. 53% “market share” isn’t bad, but there are lots of opportunities out there.

Libraries solve problems April 7, This is the era of consumer evangelists and you have an abundance of them. Many of them are the influentials of your community Give them Web 2.0 tools and, if necessary, training, to evangelize and shape conversations. about your programs and collections. Get their feedback! Takeaways and Implications - 2 Your patrons are happy and some are zealous advocates.

Libraries solve problems April 7, Takeaways and Implications – 3 The people who might be more dependent on libraries for help are aware of what you offer and your special skills. The keys for their patronage: –Awareness of your work –Comfort in your environment –Mentoring skills Your “un-patrons” are primed to seek you out.

Libraries solve problems April 7, Social networks are for learning. Social networks are for news and navigation. Social networks are for support and problem- solving. Takeaways and Implications - 4 Aspire to be a node in people’s social networks.

Graphic literacy – the language of the screen. Navigation – the transition to non-linear format. Context – the importance of seeing connections. Focus – the value of reflection. Skepticism – the capacity to evaluate Ethical behavior – living responsibly Personal literacy – understanding digital footprints Takeaways and Implications - 5 Offer your expertise in new literacies. -- librarian blogger Pam Berger

Libraries solve problems April 7, Thank you! Lee Rainie Director Pew Internet & American Life Project 1615 L Street NW Suite 700 Washington, DC