Gen Y logs on at the library

January 1, 2008

More Americans turn to the Internet for issues such as illnesses, finances, taxes and careers rather than look to other information sources, a survey found.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project reported 58 percent of respondents dealt with the government or government-provided information during the past two years via the Internet, Information Week reported Monday.

Fifty-three percent said they consulted professionals, while 45 percent sought advice from friends or family. Thirty-six percent used newspapers or other periodicals; 34 percent contacted a government agency directly; 16 percent said they consulted television and radio; and 13 percent visited a library.

Despite the low number of Americans frequenting public libraries, the study indicated people ages 18 to 30, tagged as Generation Y, were most likely to use libraries to find problem-solving information and for general purposes. Forty percent of Gen Y respondents said they use libraries to seek information, compared to 20 percent of respondents 30 and older.

A big reason is that libraries are equipped with computers and Internet access. In the Pew Internet study, 65 percent said a key reason was availability of computers and the Internet.

More than 2,790 adults were surveyed.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International