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.