PEW Research : Future of Libraries

The Pew Internet & American Life Project as a nonprofit "fact tank" continues to provide valuable information for the library community. It is the "go to" authoritative source on the evolution of the internet and data (mainly through surveys) on how Americans use the internet and how this activity affects their lives.

Here are some recent reports which provide an insight into the future of libraries in a digital world:

• Books, libraries, and the changing digital landscape. In this presentation, internet researcher Kathryn Zickuhr draws on data from the Pew Research Center’s nationally representative surveys and rich qualitative material to explore not only how libraries are dealing with the changing technological environment, but also the larger context of Americans’ reading and library habits, and what they expect from libraries in the future.
• The New Library Patron. Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, discusses the Project’s new research about library patrons and non-patrons: who they are, what their information needs are, what kind of technology they use, and how libraries can meet the varying needs of their patrons.
• Reading, writing, and research in the digital age. Research associate Kathryn Zickuhr draws on data from the Pew Research Center’s nationally representative surveys, as well as rich qualitative material to explore not only how libraries, schools, museums, and other organizations are dealing with the changing technological environment, but also the larger context of how Americans find, consume, and share information in the digital age.
• Library Services in the Digital Age. The internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping transform Americans’ reading habits. In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources. This PEWsurvey finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.