OCLC’s Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community

This report was announced at ALA Midwinter and the full report will be available soon. As soon as I know it’s out I’ll update this post with a link. As for now, you can register here to download this report and you’ll receive e-mail notification when the full report is available.

Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community

Full report coming this month!

“OCLC’s newest membership report, Perceptions of Libraries, 2010, a sequel to the 2005 Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, will be available soon. The new report provides updated information and new insights into information consumers and their online habits, preferences, and perceptions. Particular attention was paid to how the current economic downturn has affected the information-seeking behaviors and how those changes are reflected in the use and perception of libraries.

This OCLC membership report explores:

• Technological and economic shifts since 2005
• Lifestyle changes Americans have made during the recession, including increased use of the library and other online resources
• How a negative change to employment status impacts use and perceptions of the library
• Perceptions of libraries and information resources based on life stage
The report, based on U.S. data from an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC will be released this month. Two of the chapters are available in pre-publication format for you to review now.”

The 2010 one will deliver real data such as this:

“More than a third (37%) of economically impacted respondents said they are using the library more often than they did before the economic downturn. Increased library use is substantially higher than any other lifestyle activity increase measured. 13 million economically impacted Americans—that is more than the populations of New York, Chicago and Houston combined—are using the library more during the challenging economic time.”

Looking forward to it.

Stephen