[Pal-dc] Researching perceptions of public libraries - Ariadne article, and Carnegie Trust UK

[Monika Elbert]

dear all,
I thought the news items below could be of interest to members of this list.

Perhaps you have already seen that an article about our EIFL perception research has been published in the Ariadne magazine http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue68/elbert-et-al

Other news of forthcoming DC-PAL activities: 
- DC involvement in EuroDig http://www.eurodig.org/news/revised-programme-out-now, see WS4. Stuart Hamilton, IFLA, is leading on that. Stockholm, Sweden, 14 June
- DC meeting during IFLA, on WSIS/IGF and Beyond Access issues, Helsinki, Finland, 14 August. 

Please let Stuart or me know off list if any of you will be at EuroDig and/or IFLA and able to join us.

And finally, we have submitted a workshop proposal "Digital Inclusion and Public Access to the Internet: What Policymakers Need and how Libraries and Other Community Services can Deliver" and a DC meeting request to IGF 2012 in Baku - everyone fingers' crossed that both will be accepted, enabling us to open up the debate about the potential of public access in libraries to contribute to sustainable development to the widest possible IGF audience. More on these as we go along.

All best wishes
Monika


1. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0509/breaking23.html

Half of Irish people use libraries
AOIFE CARR

More than half of Irish people used a public library in the last year, according to a survey carried out by the Carnegie UK Trust.

The survey, A New Chapter - public library services in the 21st century, is the first such analysis of public attitudes to libraries across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

In Ireland, 1,000 adults aged 15 were included in the poll, carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Carnegie.

More than three-quarters of those surveyed in Ireland said that libraries were "very important" or "essential" for communities, the highest figure in the five jurisdictions surveyed.

Some 46 per cent said public libraries were very important or essential to them personally. This figure was higher than both Northern Ireland (39 per cent) and Wales (38 per cent).

Use of public libraries was the lowest in Northern Ireland (40 per cent) while Scotland recorded the highest level of usage (61 per cent). Levels in England and Wales were 50 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.

More women in Ireland than men use libraries with those aged between 15 and 24 likely to be the most frequent users.

Irish people were the second most prolific readers in the five jurisdictions, with 56 per cent reading at least one book every six weeks. Only Scottish people read more.

The survey found that factors such as having children, being a prolific reader, living in an urban area and not working full-time made library use more likely.

Those working part-time, not working at all or retired were more likely to use library than those working full time. Retired people were above average – 53 per cent – users.

Improvements people would like to see in the library service in Ireland include providing better information on what services they offer, improving the range and quality of books, and being able to look for or reserve books online.


2. A New Chapter - public library services in the 21st century

07/05/2012
The Trust has published the findings of research into public attitudes to and use of libraries throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The Trust argues that public libraries can’t stand still in a changing world. Library services and buildings need to respond to the challenges and opportunities of reduced public spending, the digital age, and changes in lifestyles.
http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/news---events/latest/a-new-chapter
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