65+ (senior) | Page 2 | Libraries Matter

Support of libraries does not vary by gender

There is no statistically significant difference between men and women on the question of whether public library support should be increased, remain the same, or be decreased, although in both cases the vast majority felt that public library support should stay the same or increase.

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

Few want a decrease in Public Library economic support

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

Importance of Having a Public Library in Every Community

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

Public Libraries are very important to communities

Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported that they or someone in their household used a public library in person or online in the year prior to the October/November survey (2010).Sixty-nine percent of respondents felt it was “very important” to have a public library in every community and almost 93% felt it was “somewhat important" or "very important”. Only 7% felt that having a public library in every community was "not very" or" not at all important."

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

Minnesotans feel public libraries are important

The main conclusion from this survey is that Minnesotans feel public libraries are important and that their support should be maintained or increased.

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

highly educated households frequent the libraries more often

Those with more education are more likely to report household use of a public library in the past year: 62% among those with some college or less education, 83% among those who have graduated from a technical or other college, and 92% among those with post graduate work.

Reference:

Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment

Libraries supported events that tie to the community

As institutions, libraries supported events that tie to the larger cultural practices of coming together as part of a community

Reference:

Libraries, churches, and schools: The literate lives of mothers and children in a homeless shelter

Use of Public Libraries for Community Involvement

Twenty-five percent who went to the library learned about political or cultural organizations or leisure activities taking place in the local community. More than 20% went to the library with friends or colleagues to work together on a common assignment or a leisure activity. Seventeen percent used the Internet at the library to contact friends via e-mail, to chat, or to participate in discussion groups, etc. Sixteen percent used the library to learn more about local matters, social or political issues, etc., that they are involved in. Fourteen percent participated in organized meetings, such as author's nights, lectures, meetings with politicians, etc. Ten percent used the library as a place to meet family or friends before going together to the movies, into the city, to do shopping, etc. (p.19)

Reference:

How do public libraries function as meeting places?

Increased Importance of Libraries Amongst Users

The National Library of Finland coordinated a customer survey for users of research and special libraries as well as public libraries in 2010. The first national online questionnaire was conducted in 2006. The number of responses rose by 56% compared to the previous survey. In the public library sector, over 80% of the users agreed that the library services had supported their cultural and literary interests. Around 80% of the university and university applied sciences library users thought that libraries had helped to improve the quality of their work and studies, the same was true for 71% of the special library respondents. In all libraries, the staff's willingness to provide assistance was one of the most important factors affecting the quality of service. In terms of their service attitude, libraries were assessed as having succeeded as well or even slightly better than two years ago.

Reference:

Users consider library services increasingly important.

Public Libraries adding to Maryland community development

Forty-three percent stated that having a public library move into a community would help attract businesses to the area, and 78 percent believed that public libraries improve a community by helping people learn new skills so they can get better jobs. A whopping 98 percent felt that public libraries help people learn new things no matter what their age.

Reference:

Maryland's Successful Campaign to Increase Library Funding