Pew Study: Gen Y More Likely to Use Libraries
Members of Generation Y, the folks currently 18-30, are more likely to use libraries than members of other generations, a recent Pew Internet and American Life study indicates. Results many of us have known for a while show many people use computers and the Internet at the library.
"The survey results challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes, not just the problems mentioned in this survey. And it was the young adults in tech-loving Generation Y (age 18-30) who led the pack. Compared to their elders, Gen Y members were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information and in general patronage for any purpose."
Of course, many people 18-25 might be attending colleges and universities and be using libraries regularly because of their studies and academic work. If older generations were asked similar questions when they were 18-30, would their library use be different from what it is today? Are there other barriers for people 30 and older that prevent them from using the library as much as younger people, like children, careers, mobility issues, etc.?
