In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and
expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet &
American Life Project 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.
The availability of free computers and
internet access now rivals book lending and reference expertise as a vital
service of libraries. In a national survey of Americans ages 16 and older:80% of Americans say borrowing books is a “very important” service libraries provide.
80% say reference librarians are a “very important” service of libraries.
77% say free access to computers and the internet is a “very important” service of libraries.
