Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Harris Survey: The Library Business is Indeed Booming

Link to September 23 American Library Association news release, "New national poll shows library card registration reaches historic high".

Survey says........

68% of American have a library card, up 5% compared to a 2006 survey.
  • 73% women
  • 62% men
  • 72% Midwest
  • 71% West
  • 65% East
  • 63% South


76% of Americans who have a library card visited their local public library during the past year, up 10% compared to 2006.

41% of cardholders visited their library's website in the past year, compared to 23.6% in 2006.


Purpose of cardholders visits. (Respondents were asked to pick their top 2 activities.)

  • 39% check out books
  • 12% check CD, videos, computer software
  • 10% use a computer to see what library has available
  • 9% use reference materials
  • 8% use Internet-access computers

How respondents view the library
  • 92% as important education resource
  • 72% as pillar of community
  • 71% as comunity center
  • 70% as family destination
  • 69% as cultural center

Satisfaction levels (all respondents)
  • 59% extremely or very satisfied
  • 22% somewhat satisfied

Satisfaction levels (library cardholders)
  • 68% extremely or very satisfied
  • 22% somewhat satisfied
Survey conducted between August 11-17, 2008.

1 comment:

Bobby said...

That's pretty astounding-I wonder if they did the poll again this year and if it will show continued increase of usage.
-Bobby