Future of Libraries Toronto Symposium

1. The next library
Lee Rainie
Director, Pew Internet Project
October 19, 2015
Future of Libraries – Univ. of Toronto
@lrainie | @pewinternet | @pewresearch

2. October 20, 2015 2www.pewresearch.org
The next library will be built around 5 new insights

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 10/20/2015 8
Examples of market and cultural shortcomings librarians can
address (and are addressing)

9. 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

10. State of library usage: 2015

11. Went to library / bookmobile in past 12 months
% of those ages 16+
53
48 46
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2012 2013 2015

12. 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%

13. Used library website / app in past 12 months
% of those ages 16+
25
30
22
0
10
20
30
40
20132012 2015

14. 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%

15. 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%

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 85
12
2
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+

19. Should libraries coordinate more closely with local schools in
providing resources to kids?
% of those ages 16+
85
11
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

20. 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
16
3
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

21. 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.

22. Should libraries create services or programs for active military
personnel and veterans?
% of those ages 16+
74
20
3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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+
45
35
17
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do

27. Be not
afraid