New PEW Report: Mobile Library Use

The headline is that the mobile revolution has come to libraries: Some 13% of Americans ages 16 and older have visited library websites or otherwise accessed library services by mobile device – a figure that has doubled since the last national reading was taken.

Those who are most likely to have connected to a library site include parents of minor children, women, and those with at least some college education.

PEW also have some data about general use of library websites: 39% of Americans ages 16 and older have gone to a library website at one time or another and, of them, 64% visited a library site in the previous 12 months. That translates into 25% of all Americans ages 16+ who visited a library website in the past year.

When they were on the sites, users sampled a wide variety of library services. Of those 25% of Americans who went to a library website in the past 12 months:

• 82% of them searched the library catalog for books (including audiobooks and e-books), CDs, and DVDs.
• 72% got basic library information such as the hours of operation, location of branches, or directions.
• 62% reserved books (including audiobooks and e-books), CDs, and DVDs.
• 51% renewed a book, DVD, or CD. Those ages 30-49 and parents of minor children are especially likely to have done this.
• 51% used an online database. Those ages 18-29 are particularly likely to have done this.
• 48% looked for information about library programs or events. Those ages 50-64 are especially likely to do this.
• 44% got research or homework help.
• 30% read book reviews or got book recommendations.
• 30% checked whether they owed fines or paid the fines online. Those ages 30-49 are particularly likely to have done this.
• 27% signed up for library programs and events.
• 22% borrowed or downloaded an e-book.
•   6% reserved a meeting room.

Stephen