Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/517932
54% of public library users visit the library to research topics that interest them. 1 The #2 reason why library patrons report increasing their usage of the library in the last five years is "to do research and use reference materials." (more than borrowing books and using computers!) 2 95% of libraries offer eBooks, and the median number of titles offered is now 10,000! (That's 12 times the number offered just four years ago.) 6 The average library spends 7% of its materials budget on eBooks; librarians expect that to double by 2019. 8 WHY ARE THEY DOING RESEARCH? 3 HOW ARE LIBRARIES MEETING THE DEMAND? 66% are doing research for school or work 47% are seeking health information 36% are job hunting 54 % 95 % WHAT ARE PUBLIC LIBRARY USERS DOING AT THE LIBRARY? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • HOW DO PEOPLE WANT TO RESEARCH? 5 In "short bursts." They don't want to be sent to a full resource; they would like to be directed to the specific information they need. With intuition. While other eBook platforms direct users to a single, title-level result, only GVRL allows cross-searches across all eBooks and other resources to pinpoint relevant information. People look to the library to filter out the best information. WHAT KEEPS PATRONS FROM USING EBOOKS MORE? The most serious roadblocks to the public's use of eBooks are basic lack of awareness and ease of use (according to LJ survey). 9 But easy-to-use GVRL eBooks raise patrons' comfort level with the technology. Libraries can use ready-made promo tools to help get the word out about the value of GVRL eBooks. Find out how. 1, 2, 3 Pew Internet & American Life Project, January 2013, http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/library-services/ 4, 5 Rising to the Challenge: Re-envisioning Public Libraries, The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, October 2014, http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/AspenLibrariesReport.pdf 6, 7, 8, 9 Ebook Usage in U.S. Public Libraries, Library Journal, 2014. (Request copy here: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/research/ebook-usage-u-s-public-libraries-2014-report/) 2x 26% of eBook titles are nonfiction (compared to 43% of their print collections). However, demand for online nonfiction is robust, especially in areas like self-help, jobs, health, how-to, hobbies and homework. 7 Consumer behavior studies, industry stats and eBook usage reports reveal what people want from their libraries, how and what they're researching, and what libraries are doing to meet the growing (yes, growing) demand for credible, cross-searchable nonfiction eBook content. The Research Habits of Public Library Users HOW HAS THE ROLE OF THE LIBRARY CHANGED? People view the library as the only unbiased information curator with the public interest in mind (not driven by ad revenues or self-interested algorithms). 4