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Gen Y Hits the Library the Most -- But Not For Books
Lucas123 writes "More than half of all Americans visited a library this past year and, of those, most were from Generation Y, the tech-loving young adults aged 18-30 years, according to a recent survey. The reason most cited for visiting their local public archive? Not books. Most were seeking gaming software programs, characters in the Second Life virtual world and online help with homework."
Another way to think about the results: about 47 percent of Americans didn't visit a library even once last year.
Another way to think about the results: about 47 percent of Americans didn't visit a library even once last year.
Even as a college student, I frequently find that the primary value in my college library is through its online databases. For one of my major term papers, I didn't visit the library at all, simply using my in-dorm access to journals provided through my library as sources. Although I did visit the library for the other term paper, I only used it to collect books that I had identified through Google and then did the rest of my research via Google Scholar and JSTOR. In both cases, I had full-text access to articles through my dorm's internet connection.
but since the main reason seemed to be to use the internet it seems to me a large portion of them was just using it as a free high speed connection anyway. I already have cable in my house and, being 33, I can do whatever I want with my computer so I see no reason to go to a library to do anything. Nor do I do anything that needs to be that anonymous.
As far as books go, I have a better technical reference than my local public library does and I have all the fiction I really want to read (also quite large). Anything new comes out I would rather own it than borrow it anyway as I generally read books multiple times. The local university has a better technical reference section than I do but I don't have time to sit there and read a large reference book and I can't take one home. If/when my work requires me to read one then I may go, but they usually find it cheaper just to purchase the books (or I prefer to purchase for my own library even though I didn't have too - I would rather have 100% control of something I need). Even in the cases I simply find something interesting time commitments mean I pretty much have to purchase it. Further, add that most reference material is now easily findable on the internet and I have even less reason to go to the library.
Ah well, some may find it sad that I almost never visit one but I'm shocked over 50% of the people feel the need too. Once out of college I see no reason to go to one unless you are someone, like my mother, who likes reading pop-culture once read books (and there is nothing wrong with that - MUCH better than watching TV which is what most do). Generally if it is worth reading for your education it is worth purchasing (true while in college also, but money is a larger issue and you should factor library time into your class schedule) and the majority of books I feel are worth my time to read are also worth my time to purchase and read more than once (technical or entertaining).
But then, the last time I went to the public library they seemed to think the same thing - mostly children's books and pop-fiction (lots and lots of romance novels) along with a large block of computers with high speed internet connections. They could get technical stuff on ILL's but they generally pointed me towards the universities library.
------- Sorry about the spelling, I suffer from two problems. Dyslexia makes it difficult to spell well, lazy makes it
MYMINICITY LINK
Instead, my daughter and I go to Borders or B&N. The library is so far out of the way and I'm so lazy about returning books, it usually amounts to the same thing anyway.
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
on the internet, the only reliable sources of research data demand subscription payments for facts.
They can eat me, especially because they demand financial and personal information big brother can use to track me.
I'll access my university's resources under alum privileges.
VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
I'm 42 (is that generation X?) anyway I visit the library at least one a week for the following reasons;
1.) I check out at least 4 DVD's at least once a week. Money was pretty tight for me this year as I spend most of my money investing in my business and paying off debts. I've seen a lot of classic movies as well as new releases I have never seen or would have never found at the video store or even online.
2.) I use the free wi-fi and will set up a temp. office space for serveral hours especially when I need a quite place to get some coding or blog writing done.
3.) I do check out books but I usually hit the new books sections. It's only two shelfs of stuff.
4.) I read local business journals that have a lot of great content about local business (especially my competitors) as well as some magazine.
I do agree however the tech section is a joke in most libraries. If they are not going to keep that section up to date they should keep some of those books at all. It's pretty disturbing to see reference books for programming languages that are several versions back. What really an indication these books are out of date is they often have screen shots of Netscape....3.0.... on OS9.
The summary got it wrong-- the users ARE NOT there for Second Life. There's a group of librarians who fervently believe that tons of the people in their community use Second Life and they're trying to expand their reference services into the virtual world. There's no evidence to support that, and the result is your tax dollars that go to the libraries involved are supporting a publicly-funded help desk for Linden Labs (the company behind Second Life).
I don't mean back-to-back readings. Readings have been 2-5 years apart, and the way my perceptions change show me how I have changed. Also, you see more when you have a deeper background in themes the book touches on. How you read Camus's The Stranger as an angsty teenager is different than your reading as a 35-yr-old who has read something about existentialism. So yes, you do profit from further readings, if you read books that are good for more than entertainment.