Survey shows fewer Americans are visiting libraries

DENVER (AP) — Fewer Americans are visiting libraries – which means they're missing out on the changes at such institutions, according to results of a Pew Research Center survey released today at the Public Library Association's annual conference in Denver.

Pew has been asking American adults whether they visited a library in the past year. The first time, in 2012, 53 percent said yes. That has dropped steadily, to 44 percent last year.

The trend is worrying, but such numbers should not be the only way the importance of libraries is measured, said Vailey Oehlke, president of the Public Library Association, which works to strengthen public libraries and their staffs. She pointed, for example, to efforts by libraries across the country to help patrons earn high school diplomas or improve career skills.

"Public libraries are critical players in ensuring that our communities are healthy and successful and ensuring that the people living in the communities are living up to their potential," Oehlke said in an interview.

But Pew also found that many adults don't know they can borrow e-books, study for high school equivalency degrees and take part in other programs at their libraries. Libraries across the country have been increasing offerings, in part to try to remain relevant as the municipal budgets on which they rely shrink. Pew, citing the Information Policy and Access Center at the University of Maryland, said 90 percent of public libraries have e-book lending programs. But Pew's survey showed a third of adults either didn't know that.