With national unemployment topping 10 percent and many Americans seeking online information and new technology skills, U.S. public libraries have been first responders in a time of economic uncertainty. 

Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, a new report released by the American Library Association (ALA), finds that more than 71 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Two-thirds of public libraries rank job-seeking services, including resume writing and Internet job searches, among the most crucial online services they offer – up from 44 percent two years ago. 

When county workforce development agency DavidsonWorks (N.C.) was investigating ways to better serve displaced workers, it looked to the Davidson County Library System “The number of people that need services are larger than our capacity,” said Executive Director Nancy Borrell. “The library is located in all corners of the county and has the space, computers, and trained library staff we need. We’re reaching areas of the county we’ve never been able to reach before.”

More people also are turning to libraries to file unemployment forms, apply for food stamps or access other e-government resources. Eighty percent of libraries report helping patrons connect with government information and services online.

Additional findings include:

• More than 90% of libraries provide classes or informal technology training for patrons
• 76% of libraries offer free wireless access
• 81% of libraries report there are not enough public Internet computers to meet patron demand some or all of the time
• Nearly 60% of libraries report Internet connection speeds are insufficient to meet patron demand at some point in the day.

The study surveyed 5,907 libraries and received 4,303 responses (72.8%). Questionnaires also were sent to the chief officers of state library agencies, and anecdotal responses were collected from focus groups and site visits in Indiana and Wisconsin.

To download a free copy of Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, click here.

For more information on public library technology trends and case studies, contact Larra Clark of the American Library Association at 800,941-8478, x8213 or lclark@ala.org.

Click here to read nine examples of local governments using their public libraries in innovative and nontraditional ways to address community needs.