[Web4lib] Cognitive dissonance regarding recent Pew report

[Metcalf, Steve]

What were the percentages before there was such a thing as Internet?

Steve Metcalf
THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of B.G. Sloan
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:06 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Cognitive dissonance regarding recent Pew report 

 
  I'll admit upfront that survey research and statistics are not my
strong suit, so maybe I am missing something. But something strikes me
as odd about the publicity surrounding this report. Maybe I'm
misunderstanding something and someone can set me straight?
   
  I finally took a look at the recent Pew report that's being touted as
challenging the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the
internet age. (Report at:
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/Pew_UI_LibrariesReport.pdf.) There's
something that I find confusing...
   
  The IMLS press release is titled "Survey Challenges Belief that the
Internet Reduces Library Use". One of the paragraphs in the Pew press
release has this lead sentence: "The survey results challenge the
assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age."
   
  That sounds very encouraging. My confusion comes after reading the
report itself. Page v of the report lists the following research
question: "What sources of information do people consult when they need
to address problems?"  Here's the major finding for that question: "More
people turned to the internet than any other source of information and
support, including experts, family members, government agencies, or
libraries." The respondents picked public libraries dead last (seventh
out of seven). The report notes: "13% went to the public library."
   
  Then (on page 22) the report says: "Twelve percent of respondents say
it is very likely they would go to the public library in the future for
information or assistance in dealing with a problem, and 17% say they
are somewhat likely to do so. Another 17% say they are somewhat unlikely
to go to the public library and 54% say they are very unlikely to go in
the future." I take that to mean that nearly three fourths of
respondents said they would be unlikely to go to the library for
assistance with future problems?
   
  I'm having trouble seeing how the actual report itself supports the
contention that the results challenge the assumption that libraries are
losing relevance in the internet age. 
   
  Like I said...maybe I am misunderstanding something?
   
  Bernie Sloan

       
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