New research from Pew Internet focuses on the reading/library habits of young Americans

Pew Internet has released their latest findings from their multi-year library research project. Highlights of these findings, which focused on the reading and library habits of young Americans, included:

  • 4 in 5 young Americans ( ages 16-29) read a book in the past year
  • 1 in 5 read an e-book
  • 1 in 10 listened to an audiobook
  • 3 in 5 used the library
  • Young Americans are more likely to read e-books on a cell phone or computer than on an e-reader
  • Nearly half (47%) of young Americans read long-form e-content (books, magazines, newspapers)

When further subdivided by age, Pew researchers found that:

  • High schoolers (16-17) were most likely of the subgroups to have used the library in the past year, to have checked out print books, and/or to have received research assistance
  • College-aged adults (18-24) had the highest overall reading rates
  • Adults in their late twenties (25-29) expressed the greatest appreciation for libraries in general

For more details, see http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/10/23/younger-americans-reading-and-library-habits/.

~Linda