Global library cooperative OCLC, US, has released a report, which says Americans are using libraries a lot more as the economic downturn has impacted lives, careers and incomes. The report, titled 'Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community', is a follow-up to the 2005 Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources report.
The new report seeks to provide updated information and new insights into information consumers and their online information habits, preferences and perceptions. Particular attention has been paid to how the current economic downturn has affected information-seeking behaviours and how those changes are reflected in the use and perception of libraries. The OCLC membership report explores technological and economic shifts since 2005; lifestyle changes Americans have made during the recession, including increased use of the library and other online resources; how a negative change to employment status impacts use and perceptions of the library; how Americans used online resources and libraries in 2010; and perceptions of libraries and information resources based on life stage, from teens to college students to senior Americans.
The membership report is based on US data from an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC. OCLC analysed and summarised the results to produce the report, which is available for download on the OCLC website free of charge.
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