Salty Snacks and Libraries

What do salty snacks have to do with libraries?
For the salty snacks side:
In 2003, “Nine out of ten Americans eat salty snacks, emphasizing the popularity of salty snacks in the American diet, according to survey firm Mintel’s recent research. Nearly 25% of those who eat salty snacks do so in front of the TV or the computer. In addition, more than a quarter of salty snack consumers say they eat them as a meal replacement or between meals. According to Mintel’s research, 93% of Americans with children in their households say that they buy salty snacks, compared to 87% of those without children under age 18 at home.” In 2003 salt snacks were a $21.1 billion industry in the US alone.
“Fact: Americans spend more than twice as much on salty snacks as they do on public libraries.” Check out the YouTube for National Libray Week 2008.
If you need a soundbite amongst your friends over the chip bowl this summer at the BBQ, when they challenge the relevance of libraries (and you know that can happen), this is a handy soundbite.
Here are some more 2009 library facts
There are now more public library buildings in the U.S. than there are McDonald’s – a total of 16,592, including branches.
Library use continues to rise – public library visits exceed 1.3 billion, and libraries circulate more items than FedEx ships – more than 2.1 billion books, CDs, DVDs and more.
Americans check out on average more than seven books each a year. They spend about $31 for the public library – about the cost of one hardcover book.
Americans spend about two-and-a-half times as much on salty snacks as they do on public libraries.
Fight back against shallow thinking. That’s what libraries are for.
Stephen