Death Announcement for Public Libraries Is Premature
In an Internet age, the public library system is as healthy as ever, according to a report from the ALA released today.
“Far from hurting American libraries, the Internet has actually helped to spur more people to use their local libraries because it has increased our hunger for knowledge and information,” Loriene Roy, president-elect of the American Library Assn., said in a statement.
According to the ALA’s State of America’s Libraries report for 2007, the number of libraries offering free Internet use increased 400% from 1994 to 2004, with 99% of libraries providing such a service. Visits to libraries increased 61% during that time, to more than 1.2 billion by 2004.
Here are all the releases, plus a piece by the LA Times.
Library use grows among adults, children and students
Reasons for using the library vary by age, race
Public libraries provide vital Internet access
Public libraries are a good investment
Libraries boost economic development
New public libraries are still in demand
Plus Dr. Roy
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