American Public Libraries & Community Internet Access

AMERICAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES III & COMMUNITY INTERNET ACCESS 99% OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOW OFFER EREE, PUBLIC INTERNET TO THE COMMUNIITIES THEY SERVE. HOWEVER, THE INCREASE OF DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE AND THE DECREASE IN FUNDING IS CREATING A PROBLEM FOR AMERICANS. WHY IS LIBRARY FUNDING CRITICAL? 1 in 3 l in 2 2 in 5 (Ages 14 - 77) (77 millon) (19 million) people who visit the library use Americans use low-income public libraries for Americans rely on free internet access. the internet. library internet access. (AGE, RACE, INCOME DIVIDES AND MORE) LIBRARY USERS SPAN EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC. WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ON THE INTERNET? 42% 40% 37% (32 million) (30 million) (28.5 million) use library internet to research HEALTH use library internet use library internet for EDUCATION and to assist with CAREERS training help. AND EMPLOYMENT. AND WELLNESS. Library patrons also use the internet for accessing government and legal services, participating in community life, managing household finances, and entrepreneurship. 84% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE INTERNET ACCESS IN LIBRARIES IS IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITIES WHAT CAN FUNDING HELP IMPROVE? 76% 45% 80% report INSUFFICIENT report INADEQUATE enforce workstation amounts of internet connection TIME LIMITS to WORKSTATIONS SPEEDS meet demands LIBRARIES NEED MORE FUNDING TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF AMERICANS AND TO CONTINUE ESSENTIAL SERVICES. SOURCES Institute of Museum and Library Services Information Policy & Access Center Public Libraries & The Internet Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries ****.......