research about public libraries

How public libraries help build healthy communities

Subscribe to the economic studies bulletin, marcela cabello and marcela cabello former research analyst - economic studies stuart m. butler stuart m. butler senior fellow - economic studies @stuartmbutler.

March 30, 2017

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Increasingly in the United States, you also can’t judge a library’s value to its community by simply its books. Let us explain.

In a previous blog post, we’ve noted the importance of “third places” in strengthening communities – meaning those places that are neither one’s home (first place) nor workspace (second place). A range of such third places, from churches to beauty salons, play an important role in community building. They are the informal spaces that are often mainstays in a neighborhood, places where both random and intentional in-person relationships are made.

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Several things are necessary for a particular place to play this role. Location and accessibility are important, of course. But so are trust and a sense of neutrality; they are usually the keys to success, whether the place is a house of worship, a family-owned diner, or a barbershop.

As the earlier piece explained, public spaces and buildings can become important and successful third places. And one particularly interesting, emerging and important example is the public library.

Public libraries exist in urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods, and typically they have a long history in their community. According to a 2015 Pew survey, almost two-thirds of adult Americans say that closing their local library would have a major impact on their community . As Pew found, over 90 percent of adults think of public libraries as “welcoming and friendly places,” and about half have visited or otherwise used a public library in the last 12 months.

Reimagining the Librarian

A reason public libraries are seen as such important third-place institutions is that they and their librarians have gradually taken on other functions well beyond lending out books. In many communities, librarians are also ad hoc social workers and navigators. They help local people figure out the complexities of life, from navigating the health system to helping those with housing needs. This “go-to” role has influenced library programming and events, with libraries providing advice and connections to health, housing, literacy, and other areas.

Other sectors, such as health care, increasingly see public libraries as a critical link to a community. For instance, the National Library of Medicine is helping local librarians to be more effective local navigators by regularly hosting webinars and training sessions for local librarians on how to navigate social services, aging, mental health, welfare and public assistance, housing resources, health care, and education and employment resources.

A reason public libraries are seen as such important third-place institutions is that they and their librarians have gradually taken on other functions well beyond lending out books.

Of course, most librarians were not trained to handle many of the issues and requests they now encounter, such as providing guidance on resources for substance abuse and mental health issues. In response, some libraries have hired in-house social workers to help address the needs of visitors. San Francisco Public Library, where an estimated 15 percent of the library’s visitors are homeless, was one of the first . A case worker is able to do a full assessment, and help arrange case management and housing assistance, in a respectful and neutral safe space.

Addressing Population Health

Other cities have followed suit. A recent study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania explains how Philadelphia’s libraries, as a trusted local institution, have partnered with the University to address population health and social determinants of health. With librarians now trained as “community health specialists,” the libraries offer programs and assistance for people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. In 2015, almost 10 percent of the libraries’ 5.8 million in-person visitors accessed specialized programs and assistance in such areas as nutrition, trauma and mental health resources, youth leadership and healthy behaviors. As the researchers conclude, “Libraries and librarians contribute two particular strengths to advance a culture of health: accessibility and trustworthiness.”

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Many libraries have become front-line institutions in addressing the needs of the homeless. For instance, the Dallas Public Library in 2013 launched a Homeless Engagement Initiative . The emphasis is on making all library visitors feel welcome. The library runs a Homeless Engagement and Leadership Program (HELP) Desk where customers can obtain one-on-one assistance with job applications and resumes, food and housing referrals, legal aid, and library music and arts programs.

Libraries focus on a wide range of populations with particular needs, including seniors, veterans, and immigrants. The Hartford Public Library in Connecticut, for instance, has created The American Place (TAP), a free program that supports and assists new immigrants acclimate to their new city. TAP partners with community leaders and organizations to provide employment services, English as a new language classes, legal orientation programs, Know-Your-Rights forums, and referrals to other services, in five different languages. Meanwhile the Queens Borough Public Library in New York, has partnered with the Queens Health Network, the largest healthcare provider in the area, to design health-related and community-centered programming targeting the needs of its immigrant populations.

Libraries as Key Hubs

In health care and other areas, libraries are combining the access and trust characteristics of a third place with a hub role in the community – using partnerships with other institutions to connect people with services and help. There are plenty of challenges with this role. Community needs and the requests of visitors are increasingly straining or overwhelming library funds; and although many libraries are retraining staff, achieving the appropriate mix of skills is difficult. But as the University of Pennsylvania study found, “public libraries are dynamic, socially responsive institutions, a nexus of diversity, and a lifeline for the most vulnerable among us.” More policymakers and government officials need to recognize this, and incorporate libraries into budgets and plans to build a culture of health and upwardly mobile communities.

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FY 2021 Public Libraries Survey provides insight on continued changes in library services into the pandemic

Washington, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced today the release of a research brief on the continued response of public libraries to community needs two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief, “Changes in Public Library Services as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continued Through FY 2021,” highlights how public libraries ensured patrons had access to library services as the pandemic reverberated through communities around the nation, further showcasing the significant role libraries have in their communities.

Findings from the research include:

Fewer public library systems reported buildings closed to the public due to COVID-19 policies in FY 2021 (57 percent) compared to FY 2020 (90 percent).

Electronic material circulation rates continued to increase through FY 2021, maintaining a trend first noted in FY 2018.

The percentage of libraries allowing patrons to register for library cards online continued to increase in cities and suburbs, and libraries offering this option had higher electronic circulation per person than those that did not.

Outside Wi-Fi access continued to be a popular way that public libraries met the digital needs of their communities, especially in rural and town libraries.

Outside circulation of collection materials (e.g., curbside pick-up) remained a widely adopted service offered by libraries, with at least 80 percent offering it in both FY 2020 and FY 2021.

Additionally, IMLS’s Library Search and Compare Tool includes library-level detail on COVID-19-related services such as whether a particular library continued services that were added or increased during COVID-19 closures, issued e-library cards, or boosted Wi-Fi access outside of library buildings. Access the Library Search and Compare Tool here .

To read the full Public Libraries Survey research brief, please visit www.imls.gov/publications .

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Once Centers Of Soviet Propaganda, Moscow's Libraries Are Having A 'Loud' Revival

Moscow's Fyodor Dostoevsky Library was renovated in 2013 and now sees some 500 visitors a day, up from just a dozen or so per day in earlier years. The library hosts language clubs, readings, lectures and concerts. Lucian Kim/NPR hide caption

Moscow's Fyodor Dostoevsky Library was renovated in 2013 and now sees some 500 visitors a day, up from just a dozen or so per day in earlier years. The library hosts language clubs, readings, lectures and concerts.

The Chistye Prudy neighborhood is one of Moscow's liveliest, with restaurants and cafes clustered along a boulevard with a tram line and grand old apartment buildings.

Before the bars fill up in the evenings, the neighborhood's most popular hangout is the Fyodor Dostoevsky Library, named for the 19th century Russian writer. While young people huddle over laptops as city traffic growls past the large windows in the main reading hall, a theater group is rehearsing a play in another room. A constant stream of visitors comes through the entrance, with the front door banging behind them.

"It's one of the best libraries here in Moscow just because it has changed so much," says Alsu Gorbatyuk, 40, an English teacher who popped in after a visit to a skating rink. "I suppose that right now, Moscow is one of the centers of library culture."

Until recently, that culture seemed doomed to become a relic of the analog past. After Russia's rocky transition from Communism and the rise of the Internet, there seemed little use for the more than 400 city libraries as public spaces fell into neglect and Russians found new sources of information. Unexpectedly, Moscow's libraries are now experiencing a transformation from musty houses of Soviet propaganda into bustling work spaces for 21st century city-dwellers.

"People are voting with their feet, we get a lot of visitors," says Andrei Lisitsky, the director of the Dostoevsky Library. "But this isn't just a busy place like a train station, church or cafe. It's a place for creating new ideas about the urban space and a center of informal learning."

An outside view of the Dostoevsky Library in Moscow. In recent years, the city's team in charge of libraries has discarded almost all traditional conceptions of what a public library is. Lucian Kim/NPR hide caption

An outside view of the Dostoevsky Library in Moscow. In recent years, the city's team in charge of libraries has discarded almost all traditional conceptions of what a public library is.

In recent years, the city's team in charge of libraries has discarded almost all traditional concepts of what a public library is.

"We have a different idea from the way things used to be. A library can be a loud place," says Maria Rogachyova, the official who oversees city libraries. "Of course there should be some quiet nooks where you can focus on your reading, but our libraries also host a huge amount of loud events."

The Dostoevsky Library hosts three to four events a day, including language clubs, readings and lectures. Once an acoustic music concert got so loud that there were noise complaints from the hookah lounge in the basement, Lisitsky recalls, laughing.

If a dozen or so people per day came through the doors of the Dostoevsky Library before its renovation in 2013, Lisitsky says it now gets 500 daily visitors, who are drawn by its modern facilities and evening events.

Andrei Akritov, 22, an aspiring standup comedian from out of town, says he discovered the library when he walked by and saw people reading inside.

"I'm staying at a hostel, and it's impossible to concentrate there," he says. Working on his monologues, he says, "Here I can spend three, four, even five hours."

The Dostoevsky Library was part of a pilot project to renew Moscow libraries. The city commissioned a Russian-Dutch design bureau to do away with the library's original floral curtains, potted plants and mustard-yellow paint in favor of a contemporary look with open stacks, modern lighting and white walls. Opening hours were extended until 10 p.m.

The library now has its own website , Facebook page and even YouTube channel .

"Moscow libraries aren't competing with modern technology, they're trying to use it," says Rogachyova. "The rise of electronic media shouldn't spell the death of libraries as public spaces."

While some employees certainly preferred whiling away their time knitting in empty libraries, she says, most of the changes have taken place thanks to the initiative of librarians, who came up with new ideas to attract visitors. Only last May did the mayor's office allocate an additional 500 million rubles (about $7.5 million) per year for library renovation.

"Our job is to develop the most democratic and accessible cultural locations for Muscovites," Rogachyova says. "This isn't about libraries for the sake of libraries, as it sometimes seemed in the past. We need to listen to what Muscovites' needs are, so they start loving us."

The city's libraries aren't just competing with the city's myriad parks and museums, she says, but also with the lure of the couch and TV set. That has meant coming up with events to attract professionals and families, putting catalogs online and even opening onsite coffee shops.

"The library of my childhood was a lot more boring, and I wouldn't have imagined it as a place to spend time," says Ksenia Yeltsova, 20, a student who likes to study at the Dostoevsky Library. "This isn't just a place to check out a book but where you can work, learn something new, listen to a concert and meet people."

While Moscow is at the vanguard of rethinking its libraries, Lisitsky says the trend is picking up across Russia.

"Probably the most negative legacy of the Soviet Union was that people expected the state to take care of everything," he says. "Now they are coming to understand that they can solve many of their own problems without the government."

And the public space where people can meet and discuss solutions, Lisitsky says, is their local library.

• public libraries

Public libraries

Statistics & standards.

• Public Library Statistics Cooperative (PLSC) - Public Library Standards by State (rev 9.2009)
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Statistics about Public Libraries
• Service Trends in U.S. Public Libraries, 1997-2007 (IMLS Research Brief No. 1, December 2009)
• Public Library Data Service Statistical Report
• State Public Library Statistics (hosted by the Colorado State Library)

Historical Trends

• Public Libraries in the United States: Statistical Trends, 1990-2001
• Bookmobiles in the U.S., 1950-2001
• Services to Children in U.S. Public Libraries: Statistical Trends, 1993-2008
• The Condition of U.S. Libraries: Public Library Trends, 2002 - 2009

Public Library Funding Survey

• Funding Issues in U.S. Public Libraries, Fiscal Years 2003-2006 (pdf)

More on Library Funding

• What is federal funding and why does it matter so much to libraries ? From ALA's Washington Office.

Household Surveys

• 2011 Harris Poll Quorum Household Survey (pdf)
• 2010 Harris Poll Quorum Household Survey (pdf)
• 2009 KRC Research Household Survey (pdf)
• 2008 Harris Poll (pdf)
• 2007 Harris Interactive Household Survey (pdf)
• Purchasing Materials After Using a Public Library (pdf) - Results of three household surveys conducted during June 2007 to understand purchase-after-use patterns of youth (8-18 years) and adult (18 years and older) public library users.
• 2006 @ your library® Household Survey (pdf)
• 2006 @ your library® Survey-Detailed Study Slides (pdf)
• 2002 KRC @ your library® Household Survey (pdf)

Library Use Studies

• Youth Use of Public and School Libraries (Harris Interactive, 2007) (pdf)
• Public Library Use (ALA Library Fact Sheet 6) Summary information from both recent studies that document public library use by patrons as well as reports the opinions that patrons have about public libraries.
• Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries: 2007 Analysis of Library Demographics, Services and Programs
• Libraries and Library Use Statistical analyses prepared by Douglas A. Galbi, Senior Economist at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Economic Hard Times and Public Library Use Revisited

• Article in American Libraries
• Technical Report (pdf)

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Creating a third place: Public library design ideas for community engagement

Albert Einstein once said, "The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library."

Actually, Einstein probably didn't say that — most of the pithy quips attributed to the great physicist can't actually be traced back to him — but there is definitely some wisdom to those words.

Mind you, this is not to say that the local public library branch exists to serve every function of civic life — it's not there to take the place of the hospital, for example, or your neighborhood off-leash dog park.

More and more, though, library buildings are transforming into public spaces that fill multiple roles. It's not unusual to find a library that includes such public amenities as conference rooms, a teen area, a maker space or an outdoor garden.

At the center of communities

A 2023 report from the Canadian Urban Institute points out that libraries, by their nature and because they are located at the center of communities, serve a variety of needs in a way that no other public institution truly can. In a single day, the report states, a public library might be:

a place to access culture and information;

a refuge from domestic violence;

an election information or polling center;

a job search facility;

a health clinic;

a place to warm up or cool down;

a language learning center for newcomers;

a place to attend free university classes or concerts; and

a space for babies, children, caregivers and youth to make friends and form a community.

Many libraries act also as a "third place" in the community, and thoughtful library design can enhance this function. What exactly is a third place? Read on.

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Defining the third place

To define the concept of the third place, we can go straight to the source: urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg , who coined the term. Oldenburg is the author of The Great Good Place (1991) and Celebrating The Third Place  (2000).

Oldenburg writes that "third places" are public spaces where people gather and interact. In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places are neutral ground, allowing people to set aside their concerns and enjoy company and conversation. Third places, according to Oldenburg, "host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work":

The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends...They are the heart of a community's social vitality, the grassroots of democracy, but sadly, they constitute a diminishing aspect of the American social landscape.

Gen Z vibes at the public library

While that might be true in many cases, there is one third space that is enjoying a surge in popularity. According to a 2023 report from the American Library Association , younger patrons — millennials, but especially members of Generation Z — seem to have rediscovered the joys of their local libraries. As it turns out, they're not just going there to read:

The youth that researchers met during visits to two public library branches talked about coming to the library just to “vibe” and hang out. One contrasted the public library experience to that of her school library, where she said students had to have “a reason to be there” such as a test or study hall, as activities are tied to the school’s curriculum. While her school library required her to be quiet and have a pass to enter, the public library was a place where she and other teens could chat while crafting.

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Public libraries are open for everyone.

Citing the ALA report, a January article in The Guardian pointed out that members of Gen Z are "well aware that they lack many of the third places their parents had, especially as the lines between work and home blurred" at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Libraries are the last place they feel exists that asks nothing of them," Alaina Demopoulos wrote. "You can truly come as you are."

Demopoulos quoted Anika Neumeyer, a 19-year-old English student who volunteers at the Seattle Public Library:

Coffee shops get so crowded, and you have to spend money to be there, but libraries are open for everyone. There’s a lot less pressure to be doing something in the public library. No one’s going to judge you.

Library design can promote social interaction

Creating a third place within a library, or any community space, involves designing an environment that fosters social interaction, lifelong learning and a sense of belonging. Here are some ways library design can achieve this:

Flexible spaces

Design the library with various zones that cater to different activities and preferences. Include areas for quiet study, collaborative work, informal gatherings and events. Flexible furniture arrangements and movable partitions allow for easy adaptation to changing needs.

Comfortable seating

Provide lounge seating and other comfortable options such as cozy armchairs, bean bags and modular furniture to encourage people to linger and engage with others.

Café or coffee shop

Integrate a café or coffee shop within the library space. This provides a relaxed atmosphere for people to socialize, work or enjoy refreshments while fostering a sense of community.

Technology integration

Incorporate technology hubs with computers, charging stations and high-speed internet access (and a digital news platform like PressReader , of course). This encourages digital literacy and provides opportunities for people to connect virtually and in person.

Community rooms

Include multipurpose rooms or a community meeting room that can be used for workshops, lectures, club meetings and community events. These spaces promote collaboration and allow community members and library staff to share knowledge and skills.

Outdoor spaces

If possible, design outdoor areas such as patios or gardens where people can gather, relax or participate in outdoor activities. Nature has a calming effect and encourages social interaction. If designing a new library project, consider bringing the outdoors in by including large windows that let in plenty of natural light.

Art and culture

Integrate art displays, exhibitions and cultural artifacts into the library space. This enhances the ambiance and creates opportunities for community members to appreciate and engage with diverse forms of expression.

Community input

Involve the community in the design process by soliciting feedback and ideas from residents, library patrons and local organizations. This ensures that the library reflects the needs and preferences of the community it serves.

Programs and activities

Creating a third place doesn't end with physical library design. Offer a variety of programs and hands-on activities that appeal to different interests and demographics. These could include book clubs, playing board games, workshops, movie nights, children's story times and cultural celebrations . Engaging programming encourages community members to visit the library regularly and interact with each other.

Accessibility and inclusivity

Ensure that the library is accessible to people of all age groups, abilities and backgrounds. Design features such as ramps, elevators, assistive technologies and other special equipment accommodate diverse needs and promote inclusivity.

Meeting the needs of neurodiverse patrons

Further to that last point, a number of library professionals in recent years have begun to explore ways to make library spaces more accessible for neurodiverse individuals, including those on the autism spectrum.

To help meet this need for neurodiverse children and their families, a research team at the University of Washington has released an online resource, “ Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit, ” that seeks to “empower youth-serving librarians and library staff with the early literacy training and programming materials they need to provide autism-inclusive early literacy services.”

This kit includes a checklist to help library workers identify and mitigate or remove sensory and physical access barriers within library spaces. Suggestions include offering quiet areas in the library for the use of individuals with auditory sensitivities, and ensuring that there is a wide and clear path from the entry way and around each designated area in the library.

A more welcoming experience

When Indianapolis’s newest library opened last August, it was the first in the state of Indiana to be a Certified Autism Center.

According to the ALA's 2024 State of America's Libraries Report , Indianapolis Public Library’s Fort Ben branch "was designed with the needs of neurodivergent visitors in mind", offering a comfort room, sensory kits and other resources to enhance accessibility.

Speaking to Axios, Fort Ben branch manager Shelby Peak said an autism-specific training program helped library staffers create a more welcoming experience for neurodiverse patrons and their families, from day-to-day interactions to specific programming, like sensory-friendly story time. “Having that label on there makes it a judgment-free zone,” Peak said. “Families know that if they come to this, they’re going to be accepted no matter what happens.”

New spaces designed to be safe, inviting

We have mostly looked at public libraries as a third place so far, but academic institutions can also make changes to library design in order to better serve their neurodiverse users.

From that same ALA State of America's Libraries Report, we learned about how Penn State University Libraries launched three sensory rooms at its Berks, Brandywine and University Park campuses to support student wellness and belonging.

Part of the libraries’ LibWell initiative, these rooms "are designed to provide a safe, inviting space for neurodivergent students who may struggle in traditional study spaces".

According to the report:

They are equipped with noise-reducing chairs, specialized lighting, yoga mats, weighted lap blankets, and other features to help reduce stress and anxiety. These sensory-sensitive elements are particularly helpful for students with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“There is a strong need for therapeutic spaces at colleges that can help students block out harmful sensory distractions and relieve the huge burden of anxiety many students bear,” said Brett Spencer, reference and instruction librarian at Penn State Berks’ Thun Library. “We want to make sensory-safe places that can help students maximize their wellness and learning.”

A cornerstone of community life

When he wrote The Great Good Place , Ray Oldenburg didn't mention the public library (or the academic one, for that matter) as a potential third place, possibly because libraries were not at that time perceived to fulfill so many different functions.

In 2024, public libraries serve as a cornerstone of community life, fostering connections, learning and civic engagement among residents. Their role as a third place is essential for building strong, vibrant and inclusive communities.

Albert Einstein — or whoever — was definitely onto something.

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Libby App for eBooks Access Via Public Libraries

What is libby.

Libby is an OverDrive app that allows users to access ebooks and audiobooks on mobile devices.  OverDrive is an ebook and audiobook vendor and platform used by many public libraries.  

The UC Davis Library does not offer Libby/Overdrive, but all California residents can get access to Libby and much of its content through California public libraries.

How To Get Libby Access Via California Public Libraries

For most public libraries in california :.

• any CA resident can receive a free library card/account
• you typically do not need to live in the county where the library resides to have an account
• you can hold library cards for multiple CA public libraries
• many CA public libraries allow county residents to apply for a library card online and start using online resources immediately
• some CA public libraries may require a single in-person visit to establish and/or renew an account
• CA public libraries are typically organized by county

To use Libby via your public library:

• Many CA public libraries (including Yolo County) allow county residents to apply for a library card online and get access to online resources immediately
• Use the links below for more information about how to "Get a Library Card" from your local public library. 
• Follow the instructions for "Libby Access" to sign up and start using the Libby app through your public library.

You can also use this list of public libraries in California to identify other libraries where you would like an account.

Additional Public Library Ebook Resources

Hoopla  

Hoopla is an app that provides access to ebooks and audiobooks as well as film and music.  This app is similar to Libby.  Loans are instantaneous but limited to a certain number a month.  

Note: this resource is not available from all public libraries but California residents can obtain a library account from a library that utilizes Hoopla.

Why the UC Davis Library Does Not Have Libby

Our focus as an academic library.

The focus of our collection development is supporting the teaching, research, patient care needs of UC Davis faculty, researchers, students and staff.  In order to make the best use of available funds, we employ a number of established and evidence-based practices. 

In general, we:

• choose purchase/own options rather than subscribe/rent options when obtaining content
• do not duplicate content in format, or content freely available elsewhere
• purchase ebooks/online access over print
• focus on content that is within scope for our academic library: resources that directly support teaching, research, patient care needs of UC Davis.

UC Davis Library Evaluation of Libby

The UC Davis Library evaluated the Libby/Overdrive platform, mode of  acquisitions, and available content.  We concluded that this platform is not the best use of collection funds. 

Reasons include:  

• because Libby is a subscription product, we are unable to purchase and own titles outright
• there is no perpetual access, titles would be lost if/when the subscription ends
• most Libby content is not within scope for our academic library, content that is within scope we typically purchase directly from publishers in a single purchase DRM-free format
• a substantial portion of Libby Content is freely available to CA residents via public libraries
• Get Access to the Libby App
• Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024 2:52 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.ucdavis.edu/libby

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• Younger Americans and Public Libraries

How those under 30 engage with libraries and think about libraries’ role in their lives and communities

Table of contents.

• A Demographic Portrait of Younger Americans
• Younger Americans’ Reading Habits and Technology Use
• Younger Americans’ Relationships with Public Libraries

Summary of Findings

Younger Americans—those ages 16-29—especially fascinate researchers and organizations because of their advanced technology habits, their racial and ethnic diversity, their looser relationships to institutions such as political parties and organized religion, and the ways in which their social attitudes differ from their elders .

This report pulls together several years of research into the role of libraries in the lives of Americans and their communities with a special focus on Millennials, a key stakeholder group affecting the future of communities, libraries, book publishers and media makers of all kinds, as well as the tone of the broader culture.

Following are some of the noteworthy insights from this research.

There are actually three different “generations” of younger Americans with distinct book reading habits, library usage patterns, and attitudes about libraries. One “generation” is comprised of high schoolers (ages 16-17); another is college-aged (18-24), though many do not attend college; and a third generation is 25-29.

Millennials’ lives are full of technology, but they are more likely than their elders to say that important information is not available on the internet. Some 98% of those under 30 use the internet, and 90% of those internet users say they use social networking sites. Over three-quarters (77%) of younger Americans have a smartphone, and many also have a tablet (38%) or e-reader (24%). Despite their embrace of technology, 62% of Americans under age 30 agree there is “a lot of useful, important information that is not available on the internet,” compared with 53% of older Americans who believe that. At the same time, 79% of Millennials believe that people without internet access are at a real disadvantage.

Millennials are quite similar to their elders when it comes to the amount of book reading they do, but young adults are more likely to have read a book in the past 12 months. Some 43% report reading a book—in any format—on a daily basis, a rate similar to older adults. Overall, 88% of Americans under 30 read a book in the past year, compared with 79% of those age 30 and older. Young adults have caught up to those in their thirties and forties in e-reading, with 37% of adults ages 18-29 reporting that they have read an e-book in the past year.

The community and general media-use activities of younger adults are different from older adults. Those under age 30 are more likely to attend sporting events or concerts than older adults. They are also more likely to listen to music, the radio, or a podcast in some format on a daily or near-daily basis, and socialize with friends or family daily. Older adults, in turn, are more likely to visit museums or galleries, watch television or movies, or read the news on a daily basis.

As a group, Millennials are as likely as older adults to have used a library in the past 12 months, and more likely to have used a library website. Among those ages 16-29, 50% reported having used a library or bookmobile in the course of the past year in a September 2013 survey. Some 47% of those 30 and older had done so. Some 36% of younger Americans used a library website in that time frame, compared with 28% of those 30 and older. Despite their relatively high use of libraries, younger Americans are among the least likely to say that libraries are important. Some 19% of those under 30 say their library’s closing would have a major impact on them and their family, compared with 32% of older adults, and 51% of younger Americans say it would have a major impact on their community, compared with 67% of those 30 and older.

As with the general population, most younger Americans know where their local library is, but many say they are unfamiliar with all the services it may offer: 36% of Millennials say they know little or nothing about the local library’s services, compared with 29% of those 30 and older. At the same time, most younger Americans feel they can easily navigate their local library, and the vast majority would describe libraries as warm, welcoming places, though younger patrons are less likely to rate libraries’ physical conditions highly.

While previous reports from Pew Research have focused on younger Americans’ e-reading habits and library usage , this report will explore in their attitudes towards public libraries in greater detail, as well as the extent to which they value libraries’ roles in their communities. To better understand the context of younger Americans’ engagement with libraries , this report will also explore their broader attitudes about technology and the role of libraries in the digital age.

It is important to note that age is not the only factor in Americans’ engagement with public libraries, nor the most important. Our library engagement typology found that Americans’ relationships with public libraries are part of their broader information and social landscapes, as people who have extensive economic, social, technological, and cultural resources are also more likely to use and value libraries as part of those networks. Deeper connections with public libraries are also often associated with key life moments such as having a child, seeking a job, being a student, and going through a situation in which research and data can help inform a decision. As a result, the picture of younger Americans’ engagement with public libraries is complex and sometimes contradictory, as we examine their habits and attitudes at different life stages.

Even among those under 30, age groups differ in habits and attitudes

Though there are often many differences between Americans under 30 and older adults, younger age groups often have many differences that tie to their age and stage of adulthood.

Our surveys have found that older teens (ages 16-17) are more likely to read (particularly print books) , more likely to read for work or school , and more likely to use the library for books and research than older age groups. They are the only age group more likely to borrow most of the books they read instead of purchasing them, and are also more likely to get reading recommendations at the library . Yet despite their closer relationship with public libraries, 16-17 year-olds are less likely to say they highly value public libraries, both as a personal and community resource. Older adults, by contrast, are more likely to place a high level of importance on libraries’ roles in their communities—even age groups that are less likely to use libraries overall, such as those ages 65 and older.

The members of the next oldest age group, college-aged adults (ages 18-24) , are less likely to use public libraries than many other age groups, and are significantly less likely to have visited a library recently than in our previous survey: Some 56% of 18-24 year-olds said they had visited a library in the past year in November 2012, while just 46% said this in September 2013. They are more likely to purchase most of the books they read than borrow them, and are more likely to read the news regularly than 16-17 year-olds. In addition, like the next oldest age group, 25-29 year-olds, most of those in the college-aged cohort have lived in their current neighborhood five years or less.

Finally, many of the library habits and views of adults in their late twenties (ages 25-29)  are often more similar to members of older age groups than their younger counterparts. They are less likely than college-aged adults to have read a book in the past year, but are more likely to keep up with the news. In addition, a large proportion (42%) are parents, a group with particularly high rates of library usage. Additionally, library users in this group are less likely than younger patrons to say their library use has decreased, and they are much more likely to say that various library services are very important to them and their family.

Younger Americans’ community activities, and media and technology landscapes

As a group, the library usage of younger Americans ages 16-29 fits into the larger context of their social activities and community engagement, as well as their broader media and technological environment. Those under age 30 are more likely to attend sporting events or concerts than older adults. They are also more likely to listen to music, the radio, or a podcast in some format on a daily or near-daily basis, and socialize with friends or family daily. Older adults, in turn, are more likely to visit museums or galleries, watch television or movies, or read the news on a daily basis.

About four in ten younger Americans (43%) reported reading a book—in any format—on a daily basis, a rate similar to older adults. Overall, 88% of Americans under 30 read a book in the past year, making them more likely to do so than older adults. Among younger Americans who did read at least one book, the median or typical number read in the past year was 10.

Younger Americans typically have higher rates of technology adoption than older adults, with 98% of those under 30 using the internet, and 90% of those internet users saying they using social networking sites. Over three-quarters (77%) of younger Americans have a smartphone, and many also have a tablet (38%) or e-reader (24%).

Respondents of all age groups generally agree that the internet makes it much easier to find information today than in the past, and most Americans feel that it’s easy to separate the good information from bad online. However, Americans under age 30 are actually a little more likely than older adults to say that there is a lot of useful, important information that is not available on the internet. They are also somewhat more likely to agree that people without internet access are at a real disadvantage because of all the information they might be missing.

Relationships with public libraries

Younger Americans are significantly more likely than older adults to have used a library in the past year, including using a library website. Overall, the percentage of all Americans who visited a library in person in the previous year fell from our 2012 to 2013 surveys, but the percentage who used a library website increased; the same is true for younger Americans. Few library users made use of a library website without also visiting a library in person in that time, however, so overall library usage rates did not increase:

• Among those ages 16-29, the percentage who visited a public library in person in the previous year dropped from 58% in November 2012 to 50% in September 2013, with the largest drop occurring among 18-24 year-olds.
• 36% of younger Americans used a library website in the previous year, up from 28% in 2012, with the largest growth occurring among 16-17 year-olds (from 23% to 35%).

Despite their higher rates of library usage overall, younger Americans—particularly those under age 25—continue to be less likely than older adults to say that if their local public library closed it would have a major impact on either them and their family or on their community. Patrons ages 16-29 are also less likely than those ages 30 and older to say that several services are “very important” to them and their family, though those in their late twenties are more likely than younger age groups to strongly value most services.

As with the general population, most younger Americans know where their local library is, but many are unfamiliar with all the services they offer. However, most younger Americans feel they can easily navigate their local library, and the vast majority would describe libraries as warm, welcoming places, though younger patrons are less likely to rate libraries’ physical conditions highly.

Views about technology in libraries

Looking specifically at technology use at libraries, we found that as a group, patrons under age 30 are more likely than older patrons to use libraries’ computers and internet connections , but less likely to say these resources are very important to them and their families—particularly the youngest patrons, ages 16-17. Even though they are not as likely to say libraries are important, young adults do give libraries credit for embracing technology. Yet while younger age groups are often more ambivalent about the role an importance of libraries today than older adults, they do not necessarily believe that libraries have fallen behind in the technological sphere. Though respondents ages 16-29 were more likely than those ages 30 and older to agree that “public libraries have not done a good job keeping up with newer technologies” (43% vs. 31%), a majority of younger Americans (52%) disagreed with that statement overall.

About these surveys

This report covers the core findings from three major national surveys of Americans ages 16 and older. Many of the findings come from a survey of 6,224 Americans ages 16+ conducted in the fall of 2013. A full statement of the survey method and details can be found here: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/03/13/methods-27/ .

The details and methods of the two other surveys can be found at:

http://libraries.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/2013/01/22/methodology-8/

http://libraries.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/2012/04/04/methodology-2/

Disclaimer from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

This report is based on research funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Jewish American Heritage Month at NYPL

The New York Public Library celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month throughout May with events and programs, recommended reading, research collection highlights, and a wide array of resources for all ages.

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Come to the Library throughout May for a range of events and programs celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. From klezmer music performances to film screenings and storytimes, the Library has something for everyone.

Jewish Immigration & the New York Garment Industry

Thurs, May 30 | 5:30 PM | Todt Hill–Westerleigh Library

Join historian Aaron Welt for a conversation about the impact of Jewish immigration on New York City's garment industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and how this historical influence continues to shape the city's commercial landscape even today.

A Reading List for Jewish American Heritage Month

Check out books for all ages spanning a wide range of genres, including historical fiction, memoirs, fantasy, graphic novels, and more. Rich in themes, settings, and narrative styles, these books highlight the experiences and perspectives of and about people of Jewish descent.

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Plan Your Visit! The Dorot Jewish Division

The New York Public Library’s Dorot Jewish Division is the oldest public collection of Jewish research materials in the United States. The collection contains a chronicle of the religious and secular history of the Jewish people in over 250,000 books, microforms, manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, and ephemera from all over the world.

The Rose Family Seder Books

Through May 11 | Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Every year around Passover, the Library displays selections from the Rose Family Seder Books, a unique trove of Passover-themed artwork commissioned by the Rose family and held in the collections of the Dorot Jewish Division. Learn more about this year's display, featuring illustrations by Joseph Hirsch and Will Barnet. Plus, see additional works in the collection by children's book author and illustrator Laurent de Brunhoff in Emily Schneider's essay for the Jewish Book Council .

Online Exhibition: 125 Years of the Dorot Jewish Division

To celebrate 125 years of the Dorot Jewish Division, explore a special online exhibition including more than 100 items from its collections. Holdings online include rare manuscripts, treasures of early book printing, documents that bear witness to the tragedies of the 20th century and the resilience of Jewish communities, and items that offer insight into Jewish life in New York and the United States.

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Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDC) operated by the U.S. Census Bureau are partnerships between federal statistical agencies and leading research institutions. FSRDCs provide secure environments supporting qualified researchers using restricted-access data while protecting respondent confidentiality.

Researchers interested in analyzing federal agency microdata that are not publicly available might benefit from using a Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC). See the introductory video on the FSRDC website.

Federal data sets can support research in economics, sociology, public health, and related fields.

Oklahoma State University is a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth FSRDC .

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All of the information needed for drafting and submitting proposals can be found on the Standard Application Portal website. Researchers should contact Sam Bondurant,  Dallas-Fort Worth FSRDC , about their research interests and goals. They can schedule a time to review how to go about drafting a successful proposal.

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'Moving forward:' Gannon says water research center at Blasco Library to open in spring 2025

Gannon University anticipates construction of a new water research and education center at Blasco Memorial Library to begin in late fall, with a projected opening in early 2025.

Gannon leaders joined Erie County Executive Brenton Davis at a news conference Wednesday to announce the dates and assure the community that they’ll be able to provide feedback on the center’s design.

“Our updated timeline will call for public presentations on a possible design to happen in late June and July,” Sarah Ewing, provost and vice president for student experience at Gannon, told reporters at the Erie County Courthouse.

“The comments and feedback will be factored into the final plan," she added.

The 3,280-square-foot center ― a part of Gannon’s multi-phased $24 million water quality initiative called Project NePTWNE ― will be located on the eastern wing of the library’s first floor and comprise of hands-on exhibits, a NOAA Science on a Sphere and a research lab, all of which will be accessible to the public at no cost, according to Ewing.

Ewing said the center will enhance the research done on Gannon’s research vessel, the Env i ronaut , and also “complement the educational programming and services offered by the library.”

“We will bring programming to the library through the center, and we’ve already begun discussing possible partnerships with library staff,” she said. “These ideas and discussions will continue in the weeks and months ahead.”

Gannon, Davis 'moving forward' from controversy surrounding center

The center’s proposed location inside the county’s main public library has been the source of several protests and demonstrations since the center’s lease was approved by Erie County Council in October.

Opponents have argued the lease is an affront to the library, contending it gives away space from a vital public asset to a private, religiously affiliated university that already has several dozen tax-exempt properties throughout the city.

They’ve also criticized the lease as a “sweetheart deal” brokered by the Davis administration and fast-tracked by council with no public engagement. The lease has Gannon paying a flat rent of $7 a square foot for an initial 25-year period.

Speaking at Wednesday’s news conference, Gannon President Walter Iwanenko sought to reassure the public of the center’s value, both to the library and the community overall.

“We acknowledge there’s been a lot said about this effort, both for it and against it,” he said. “Our expectation is that, in time, this will not only be a destination for our community but also an attraction for visitors to come to our beautiful waterfront ― this location remaining a vital resource for generations to come.”

He added, “This will be a source of pride, enhancing a public asset. Our community will be a leader in research and education through these evolving public and private partnerships.”

Wednesday's news conference comes just days after Erie County Council sought to override a Davis veto that blocked council's attempt to rescind the center's lease. The override failed in a 4-3 vote, falling short of a necessary five-vote supermajority.

Davis on Wednesday said it's been a "tumultuous road" but that the research laboratory in partnership with the county is "moving forward."

Ewing: Gannon “not looking to take over” library services

Among the concerns of community members has been the potential environmental impact of a research laboratory on a library ― and the lack of a thorough impact study.

Ewing said there’s been some “misunderstanding” around the scope of the center’s research lab, which she said will have a very “straightforward design.”

“It will be focused more on water quality,” she said. “We have the labs we need to control chemicals and the large pieces of equipment on campus. This space is going to be controlled and more so for community engagement and the research process.”

Ewing said the contractors hired to design and construct the center ― Indovina Associates Architects of Pittsburgh and Building Systems Inc. ― will work with library staff to limit disruptions to the library patrons.

She further dismissed concerns that Gannon might expand to other parts of the library.

“We have a very clear design in mind of what we want to achieve,” she said. “We want to partner with the library. The library provides a lot of services to the community and we’re not looking to take over any of that.”

She added that the center aims to complement programs and services in the community, including those at the Regional Science Consortium, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the Children’s Museum.

The construction is being funded by $1.5 million from the county's share of American Rescue Plan funds.

A.J. Rao can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X @ETNRao .