[1st-mile-nm] Pew Report on the Net and Libraries

[Richard Lowenberg]

A new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project:

(Many NM libraries are currently under-connected, yet they are primary
sites for networked knowledge economy development in our communities.)  rl
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www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/231/report_display.asp

Information Searches That Solve Problems

12/30/2007

There are several major findings in this report. One is this: For help
with a variety of common problems, more people turn to the internet than
consult experts or family members to provide information and resources.

Another key insight is that members of Gen Y are the leading users of
libraries for help solving problems and in more general patronage.

In a national phone survey, respondents were asked whether they had
encountered 10 possible problems in the previous two years, all of which
had a potential connection to the government or government-provided
information. Those who had dealt with the problems were asked where they
went for help and the internet topped the list:

- 58% of those who had recently experienced one of those problems said
they used the internet (at home, work, a public library or some other
place) to get help.
- 53% said they turned to professionals such as doctors, lawyers or
financial experts.
- 45% said they sought out friends and family members for advice and help.
- 36% said they consulted newspapers and magazines.
- 34% said they directly contacted a government office or agency.
- 16% said they consulted television and radio.
- 13% said they went to the public 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.

Furthermore, it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will
use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y
said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say
they would go to a library.

This report is the fruit of a partnership of the University of Illinois
-Urbana-Champaign and the Pew Internet & American Life Project. It was
funded with a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library
Services, an agency that is the primary source of federal support for the
nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.

The focus of the survey was how Americans address common problems that
might be linked to government. The problems covered in the survey: 1)
dealing with a serious illness or health concern; 2) making a decision
about school enrollment, financing school, or upgrading work skills; 3)
dealing with a tax matter; 4) changing a job or starting a business; 5)
getting information about Medicare, Medicaid, or food stamps; 6) getting
information about Social Security or military benefits; 7) getting
information about voter registration or a government policy; 8) seeking
helping on a local government matter such as a traffic problem or schools;
9) becoming involved in a legal matter; and 10) becoming a citizen or
helping another person with an immigration matter.

There was some variance in the results, depending on the type of problem
that people confronted. For instance, those who dealt with a health
problem turned to experts more than any other source, followed by family
and friends, and then the internet. And those who had issues related to
big government programs such as Social Security or Medicare were most
likely to go directly to government agencies for help, then the internet.

Most people were successful in getting information to help them address a
problem no matter what channel they chose and no matter what problem they
faced.

A major focus of this survey was on those with no access to the internet
(23% of the population) and those with only dial-up access (13% of the
population). This low-access population is poorer, older, and less
well-educated than the cohort with broadband access at home or at work.
They are less likely to visit government offices or libraries under any
circumstances. And they are more likely to rely on television and radio
for help than are high-access users.


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Richard Lowenberg
P.O.Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-9110,  505-603-5200 cell

1st-Mile Institute
New Mexico Broadband Initiative
www.1st-mile.com
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