What Kind of Library User are You?

As I was looking at the Pew Research Internet Project, I found a fun quiz.  What kind of Library User are You?  I couldn't resist - so I took the quiz! 

It asked questions like if I have visited a library, is one close, and general feelings about the public library.

This is what I found out.

I am an "Information Omnivore".  Interesting....

My level of library engagement was high and I am like 20% of the population.

I wanted to find out more about this research so I looked at the complete report. 

The quiz divided people into three major groups with two or three subgroups.  Here is a brief description of the groups.

High engagement

Library Lovers and Information Omnivores are people who value and utilize public libraries most.  They say that libraries play a major role in their own lives and in the lives of their families and think libraries improve their communities.  They are avid readers and think libraries encourage literacy and a love of reading.

Medium engagement

The Solid Center is the largest group. They mostly view libraries positively, but report their library use has declined in the past five years. They are one of the least likely groups to use library websites and say their library’s closing would have a major impact on their community. 

The Print Traditionalists read an average of 13 books in the past 12 months, and tend to value the traditional services libraries perform. They appreciate the role of libraries in communities. They feel that if the local library closed it would have a major impact on the community.

Low engagement:

The Not for Me group is made up of respondents who have used public libraries at some point in their lives, though few have done so recently. More than half say they know “not much” or “nothing at all” about the library services in their  area.

The Young and Restless group is relatively small and contains more young people than most other groups.   Many of them are relatively new to their communities.  Only 15% of its members say they know where the local library is.  Most of this group do have positive views of libraries overall though.

The Rooted and Roadblocked are longtime residents of their communities, but may face many potential hurdles in their lives.  It is the oldest group.  They have used libraries at some point in their lives, but only a third went in last 12 months.

Non-engagement (have never personally used a public library):

 Distant Admirers and Off the Grid have lower rates of library use and lack of familiarity with libraries.

The broad themes and major findings are:

·       30% of Americans are highly engaged with public libraries and 39% are in the medium engagement categories.

• Life stage and special circumstances are linked to increased library use and higher engagement with information.

I found this quiz fun and informative.  If you would like to take it, here is the link http://www.pewinternet.org/quiz/library-typology/

Have fun!

Zickuhr, K., Purcell, K., & Rainie, L. (2014, March 14). From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers - and Beyond. Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. Retrieved June 24, 2014, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2014/03/PIP-Library-Typology-Report_031314.pdf

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