Leaning on the library

Nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older – roughly 77 million people – used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet in the past year, according to the recently released “Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries.”

In 2009, as the nation struggled through a recession, people relied on library technology to find work, apply for college, secure government benefits, learn about critical medical treatments, and connect with their communities, according to the report.

The national study, the first ever, was conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences.

STUDY FINDINGS
• Low-income adults are more likely to rely on the public library as their sole access to computers and the Internet than any other income group. Overall, 44% of people living below the federal poverty line used computers and the Internet at their public libraries.

• 40% of library computer users (an estimated 30 million people) received help with career needs. Among these users, 75% reported they searched for a job online. Half of these users filled out an online application or submitted a resume.

• 37% focused on health issues. The vast majority of these users (82%) logged on to learn about a disease, illness, or medical condition. One-third of these users sought out doctors or health care providers. Of these, about half followed up by making appointments for care.

• 42% received help with educational needs. Among these users, 37% (an estimated 12 million students) used their local library computer to do homework for a class.

• Library computers linked patrons to their government, communities, and civic organizations. 60% of users – 43.3 million people – used a library’s computer resources to connect with others.