Libraries 2016 - A portrait of those who have never been to libraries :: Pew

Libraries 2016

3. A portrait of those who have never been to libraries

Pew Research Center: 9.09.2016 by John B. Horrigan

Nearly half (48%) of Americans visited libraries in the past year. Roughly a third (32%) say they have used libraries at one time or another, though not in the past 12 months. Additionally, one-in-five (19%) say they have never visited a public library or a bookmobile. This has been a persistent trend in Pew Research Center surveys for five years, and we consistently see patterns in who these non-users are and how their views about libraries differ from more recent library users.

Those who have never been to a public library are more likely to be male (24% have never been to a library), ages 65 and older (26%), Hispanic (32%), black (28%), high school graduates or less (29%), or living in households earning less than $30,000 (27%). At the same time, the data show there are members of other demographic groups that have had no direct experience with libraries, including: 11% of those with college degrees and 12% of those in households earning $75,000 or more. Additionally, one-in-six parents of minor children (17%) say they have never been to a public library.  READ MORE @

Libraries 2016

1. Americans’ attitudes toward public libraries

2. Library usage and engagement

3. A portrait of those who have never been to libraries