The library world recently got some pretty encouraging news from a Pew Internet & American Life survey and report documenting that members of Generation Y (age 18-29) are leading the pack in using libraries! In the report summary, it states that “the survey results challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes. Young adults in Generation Y (age 18-29) are the heaviest users of libraries….and the most likely library visitors for any purpose”.
The report goes on to say that most Generation Y members who visit libraries for “problem-solving information” are very satisfied with what they find and they appreciate the resources available there, especially access to computers and the internet.
An interesting compliment to the Pew study is a recent IMLS-funded study done by the Idaho State Library on the perception of libraries by “digital natives”(age 12 – 25).
This group of young people place a high value on learning and education, but in general believe that libraries are “for young children and older adults” and think of libraries as “an old-fashioned and cumbersome way to get information”. They think a bookstore is a good place to hang out with friends – but not a library! A few of the suggestions offered for making the library more appealing to digital natives include:
• Make library service convenient; searching the internet for information is easier and faster than heading to the library;
• Offer a range of services, activities and environments;
• Advertise programs and services;
• Involve the community when designing programs and events, not just people who currently use the library.
Both studies support what front line library staff have been saying: more people are coming to the library! But in order to keep that trend going, we need to listen to what our community – including young people – want and need from the library.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Library use in the 21st Century
Feed Me!!
I once heard someone say that their blog reminded them of Audrey Jr., the hungry plant in Little Shop of Horrors. Every day it shouts "FEED ME"!!!
Well, I haven't been feeding this blog much lately, but new resolutions lead me to try again. Stay tuned!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
NCKLS Annual Meeting
August 1 was the date of the NCKLS annual meeting, held in Manhattan. Carol Barta and Fred Atchison asked me to attend and share thoughts about the new Kansas Certification Program for Library Administrators. Ellen Miller described opportunities for trustees to take continuing education and become certified. It was a great group and I enjoyed meeting with them.
What pattern is your brain?
I can't imagine that this is based on anything scientific, but it's fun to take: http://www.blogthings.com/whatpatternisyourbrainquiz
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Youtube and the presidential debates
I caught a rerun of the Democratic presidential debates last night, and was surprised by the effectiveness of the YouTube format! I had expected the event to be gimmicky, but discovered that YouTube actually added a very interesting dynamic to the debate. Instead of a moderator asking all the questions, people from all over the U.S. took part via their homegrown videos. And people were not shy about making their points, including one woman who emphazied her distress about the U.S. health care system by pulling off her wig to show the results of recent chemotherapy. It was dramatic, entertaining and more than a few differences among the candidates were highlighted.
A new form of participatory democracy? Maybe. To submit a question for the Republican debate go to http://www.youtube.com/republicandebate. Maybe your library could offer to help people do YouTube videos for the next debate???
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Too scary to ignore
Picked this up at Ramblin Librarian's blog; it's a clip from the old series "The Twilight Zone", and it's kinda scary....
Friday, July 20, 2007
Learning Spanish?
I'm really proud of the statewide collection of digital books and music purchased by Kansas libraries and the State Library of Kansas. If you live in the state, and you have a Kansas library card, check it out. Audiobooks are not just about best sellers. Download and check out a Spanish language course!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Happy birthday, WebJunction Kansas!
