National Network of Libraries of Medicine

nnlm.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview
Today, one in three adult Washington residents use their local public libraries at least once a month or more often. The leading reason people go to the library is to do research and get information. People who are using libraries less cite having access to the Internet at home and in the office as the major reason for their decline in usage.

Library Usage
Fully 32% of respondents use their local library once a month or more often, and another 23% visit several times a year. Others (22%) visit less often, and the remaining 22% report they never visit local libraries. Looking at subgroups, the most likely to visit monthly or more often are college-educated respondents. Conversely, the least frequent library visitors are Eastern Washington residents, respondents with a high school or less education and those who do not have Internet access.

At the same time, 13% use other library services once a month or more often, while 15% use these services several times a year, 27% use other library services less often and 44% say they never use other library services. The most frequent users of other library services are respondents age 18-44, Seattle residents and respondents with a postgraduate education.

Reasons for Library Usage
Respondents are most likely to visit a library for research and information. Today, 35% say this is the main reason they visit a library. Other reasons given include, "for books to read or check out" (18%), "for children's books" (6%) and "to read" (5%). Additionally, "home schooling/teaching" or "classroom information," "newspapers and periodicals," or "audio and visual materials" are primary reasons for visiting a library for 2% each. No other reason was given by more than 1% of respondents.

Changes in Library Usage
Fully 41% of respondents perceive their usage of local libraries has not changed over the past few years, while 28% perceive their usage has increased and 29% say their usage of local libraries has decreased. When looking at subgroups, most likely to have increased their usage are women age 18-44 and Seattle residents. Conversely, the most likely to have decreased their usage are seniors.

Internet usage at home or work is the leading reason for decreased library usage. Indeed, 26% of respondents who said their use of local libraries has declined cited Internet usage at home or work. Other reasons for declining library usage include, "too busy/no time" (13%), "retired/too old" (12%), "have no need or reason to use it" (7%), "no longer in school" (7%), "buy or read my own books" (5%), "hard to get around/housebound" (5%), "eyes are bad" or "blind" (3%), and "I have a computer" (3%). No other reason was listed by more than 1%.

Library Services
More than three in five respondents are aware that their local libraries offer access to computers for Internet use or word processing (69% aware) and electronic access to online journals, newspapers and other periodicals (61%). Also, a majority are aware that their local libraries offer telephone or email assistance from a librarian (51%). At the same time, roughly four in ten (41%) respondents are aware of remote Internet access and workshops on using library computers.

There is potential opportunity to increase use of these services and, as a result, increase usage of libraries. The ability to access library resources from home or office computers shows the most potential for increased usage (18% would increase), followed closely by workshops or training on using the library's computers and electronic resources (13% would increase) and telephone or email assistance from librarians (9% would increase).

Computer Use at Libraries
Information and research, as well as card catalog and reference sections and looking up books are the primary reasons respondents use a computer at local libraries. Indeed, 20% of respondents would use a computer at a library for "information or research," while another 19% would access the "card catalog, look up books, or reference." Others are most likely to use a library computer for "Internet access or email" (7%), "genealogy information" (2%), "research for work" (2%), or "online periodicals or newspapers" (2%). Nothing else was mentioned by more than 1% of respondents. Still, 10% said they wouldn't use a computer at the library and 25% are unsure what they would use a computer at a library for.