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On this beautiful daffodil / tulip / plum blossom afternoon, the computer rooms are indeed open, and June is there to help anyone who needs help.
A recent study shows that 1/3 of Americans, age 14 and over, use public library computer facilities, and the most common use is for education.
2/3 of those using them are helping a friend or family member with a need for health facts, a job search, or something similar. And so the number of people who get crucial information from library computers is much greater than the actual number of people logged on.
Those most likely to use library computers are people living in households below the poverty line, particularly teens and young adults, ages 14 to 24, 2/3 of whom use public library computers for educational purposes.
1/4 of Americans traveling use library computers. Indeed we see people from all over the country, actually from all over the world, and like most public libraries we offer free wireless connection. For those visitors without laptops we sell guest passes for our computer stations ($5 for two hours).
Associated Press summary of the Gates Foundation / University of Washington study results
Actual study report (Look for the curious result concerning people changing their diets after using library computers.)
Note: In our experience, users under age 14 usually are not using the computers for education. They are having fun.
Posted by library at April 4, 2010 02:14 PM