Impacts of the Internet on Public Library Use. An Analysis of the CurrentConsumer Market for Library and Internet Services

摘要

The most critical strategic issue affecting the future of public libraries is thepotential impact of the Internet. The research reported herein provides baseline data concerning the relationship between the use of the public library and use of the Internet. The authors developed a segmentation model of the American market for information services and resources based on the market's use of the public library and its use of the Internet. They defined the segments of this market as follows: (1) people who use the public library and who have access to the Internet and use it; (2) people who use the public library and who have access to the Internet but do not use it; (3) people who use the public library and who do not have access to the Internet; (4) people who do not use the public library and who have access to the Internet and use it; (5) people who do not use the public library and who have access to the Internet but do not use it; and (6) people who do not use the public library and who do not have access to the Internet. The authors conducted a national telephone survey that was designed to estimate the size of each of the segments identified above; and to describe the behaviors of the people in each segment of the model as these behaviors related to their use or nonuse of the public library and their use or nonuse of the Internet. The analysis of the data presented in this report provides estimates of the size of each of the segments identified above; describes why people are currently using the public library and the Internet; identifies those areas in which libraries and the Internet are competing and those areas in which they are complementary; identifies the criteria people use when deciding to use either the public library or the Internet; and identifies the reasons why people chose not to use the public library and not to use the Internet. Longitudinal research is necessary to fully reveal future trends for public library planning and policy development.