The next library

Lee Rainie

Director, Pew Internet Project

October 19, 2015

Future of Libraries – Univ. of Toronto

@lrainie | @pewinternet | @pewresearch

October 20, 2015 2www.pewresearch.org

The next library will be built around 5 new insights

1. People seek personal enrichment and entertainment in new ways

2. People seek knowledge and reference expertise in new ways

3. Some groups especially need and want access to technology through trusted community institutions

4. Learning is a social process

5: Where they fit on these continuums ALA’s “Confronting the Future”

Totally physical

(facilities and media)

Individual focus

Collection library

(physical and virtual)

Archive

Everything for everyone

Totally virtual

(facilities and media)

Community focus

Creation library

(social, maker space)

Portal

Specialized niche

People: Serve and Learn Tech experts

Master teachers in age of lifelong learning

Visionaries for the knowledge economy and the jobs it produces

Experts in sense-making, context, and curation

Monitors of algorithms

Place: Reconfigured and Repurposed

Artifacts are connected and data-rich

Nodes for “system of systems” with databases and media

Test beds – maker masters

Community information and media stewards

Platform: Community Resource

Trusted institution and privacy watchdog

Advocates for free and open

Advocates for closing digital divides

Data and collections repositories

Civic specialists – esp. in learning realms

10/20/2015 8

Examples of market and cultural shortcomings librarians can

address (and are addressing)

1) Assist technology non-users - skills training in new literacies

2) Run pre-school programs

3) Run after-school activities

4) Offer English as a second language courses

5) Promoter of lifelong learning opportunities / credentialing for mastery of competencies

6) Gap filler in local media ecosystem – community and civic information/curation

7) Help for small business / entrepreneurs / non-profits

8) Agents of serendipitous discovery

State of library usage: 2015

Went to library / bookmobile in past 12 months% of those ages 16+

5348 46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2012 2013 2015

Library user demographics % who have visited a library or bookmobile in person in

the past 12 months

All Americans ages 16+ 46%

Men 39%

Women 52%

Age

16-17 57%

16-29 52%

30-49 50%

50-64 42%

65+ 34%

Education attainment

No high school diploma 30%

High school grad 40%

Some College 49%

College + 56%

Parent of minor

Parent 53%

Non-parent 43%

Used library website / app in past 12 months% of those ages 16+

25

30

22

0

10

20

30

40

20132012 2015

Library website user demographics % who have ever used a library website or app in the past 12

months

All Americans ages 16+ 22%

Men 18%

Women 26%

Age

16-17 29%

18-29 28%

30-49 28%

50-64 18%

65+ 11%

No high school diploma 11%

High school grad 16%

Some College 24%

College + 34%

Parent of minor

Parent 29%

Non-parent 20%

Library user demographics % who have ever used a library website or app n the

past 12 months

All Americans ages 16+ 22%

White 22%

Black 25%

Hispanic 19%

Household income

Under $30,000 18%

$30,000-$49,999 21%

$50,000-$74,999 26%

$75,000+ 29%

Community Type

Urban 25%

Suburban 24%

Rural 14%

October 20, 2015 16www.pewresearch.org

The clear public mandate: Do something for education ….

Large majorities of Americans see libraries as part of the educational ecosystem and as resources for promoting digital and information literacy.

Should libraries move some print books and stacks OUT OF public

locations to free up more space for things such as tech centers,

reading rooms, meetings rooms, and cultural events? % of those ages 16+

30

40

25

20

39

36

Should definitely do

Should maybe do

Should definitely not do

Nov-12 Apr-15

85

122

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Should libraries offer free early literacy programs to help young

children prepare for school?% of those ages 16+

Should libraries coordinate more closely with local schools in

providing resources to kids?% of those ages 16+

85

112

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Should libraries offer programs to teach people, including kids and

senior citizens, how to use digital tools such as computers,

smartphones and apps?% of those ages 16+

78

163

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Blacks, lower-income ,

and urban residents are

especially likely to say

this

October 20, 2015 21www.pewresearch.org

Do something for special populations

Americans say libraries should offer services to help recent immigrants, veterans and activity duty military.

Should libraries create services or programs for active military

personnel and veterans?% of those ages 16+

74

20

30

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Should libraries create services or programs for immigrants and

first-generation Americans?% of those ages 16+

59

29

9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

October 20, 2015 24www.pewresearch.org

Do something for the economy and jobs

Many believe libraries should be pathways to economic opportunity, especially when it comes to providing resources for business development, jobs search, and enhancing workforce skills.

Should libraries create services or programs for local businesses

and entrepreneurs?% of those ages 16+

52

35

8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Should libraries buy 3-D printers and other digital tools to allow

people to learn how to use them to make different kinds of

objects? % of those ages 16+

4535

17

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

Be not afraid