[infolink-l] [Fwd: [NYLINE] Two-Thirds of Americans Have a Library Card; 92% see
library as important education resource]
Bob Belvin
bbelvin@lmxac.org
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:50:27 -0400
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Subject: </th>
<td>[NYLINE] Two-Thirds of Americans Have a Library Card; 92% see
library as important education resource</td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Date: </th>
<td>Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:06:16 -0400</td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">From: </th>
<td>Kathy Miller <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:kmiller@RRLC.ORG"><kmiller@RRLC.ORG></a></td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Reply-To: </th>
<td>Kathy Miller <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:kmiller@RRLC.ORG"><kmiller@RRLC.ORG></a></td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">To: </th>
<td><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:NYLINE@listserv.nysed.gov">NYLINE@listserv.nysed.gov</a></td>
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New survey shows value of library. Almost all Americans (92%) say they
view their local library as an
important education resource.<br>
<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Family_Health_210/Two-Thirds_of_Americans_Have_a_Library_Card_printer.shtml">http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Family_Health_210/Two-Thirds_of_Americans_Have_a_Library_Card_printer.shtml</a><br>
<br>
<p><span class="header_category_name">Family Health</span><br>
<span class="article_title">Two-Thirds of Americans Have a Library Card</span><br>
By <br>
Sep 22, 2008 - 1:25:17 PM<br>
<br>
</p>
Three Quarters of those with a library card have used library in past
year<br>
<br>
<br>
<br clear="all">
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - ROCHESTER, N.Y. - September 22, 2008 -
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and two thirds (68%) of
Americans currently own a library card. According to the results of a
new nationwide Harris Poll of 2,710 U.S. adults surveyed online between
August 11 and 17, 2008 by Harris Interactive®: <br>
<br>
· 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%);<br>
<br>
· 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, <br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
· Three quarters (76%) of those with a library card visited their
libraries last year, while two in five (41%) visited their library
online;<br>
<br>
· 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<br>
<br>
· 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;<br>
<br>
Whether they use the library or not, all Americans have a point of view
about their local library:<br>
<br>
· 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%);<br>
<br>
· 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, <br>
<br>
· 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.<br>
<br>
So What?<br>
<br>
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." <br>
<br>
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."<br>
<br>
"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."<br>
<br>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Kathy Miller, NYLA Legislative Chairperson
</pre>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Robert J. Belvin, Ph.D.
New Brunswick Free Public Library
60 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick NJ 08901
732.745.5271 bbelvin at lmxac.org
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be
our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of
our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts
and evidence." John Adams, Argument in Defense of
the British Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials
December 4, 1770.
</pre>
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