Library Services in the Digital Age

Il Pew Research Center ha pubblicato il rapporto “Library services in the digital age”, a cura di  Kathryn Zickuhr, Lee Rainie e Kristen Purcell.

Patrons embrace new technologies—and would welcome more. But many still want printed books to hold their central place.

• 80 percent of Americans say borrowing books is a “very important” service libraries provide.
• 80 percent say reference librarians are a “very important” service of libraries.
• 77 percent say free access to computers and the Internet is a “very important” service of libraries.

A notable share of Americans say they would embrace even wider uses of technology at libraries, such as:

• Online research services allowing patrons to pose questions and get answers from librarians.
• Apps-based access to library materials and programs.
• Access to technology “petting zoos” to try out new devices.
• GPS-navigation apps to help patrons locate material inside library buildings.
• “Redbox”-style lending machines or kiosks located throughout the community where people can check out books, movies or music without having to go to the library itself.
• “Amazon”-style customized book/audio/video recommendation schemes that are based on patrons’ prior library behavior.

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