Pew Internet

It’s Children’s Book Week. 84% of parents who say libraries are important say libraries help teach their children a love of reading and books. Also:

• 55% of parents of children under 18 say their child has his/her own library card.
• 70% of parents say their child visited a public library in the past 12 months
• Among children visited the library in the past year, 87% did so to borrow books.
• 58% of parents with children ages 5 and younger say they read to their child every day.

Half of all parents with children under 12 (50%) say they read to their child every day and an additional 26% do so a few times a week.

The vast majority (94%) of parents of minor children (children under 18) feel libraries are very important for their children, not only because they foster a love of reading, but also because they provide information, resources, and a safe place.

Our new report out today portrays the special bond that parents, especially mothers, share with libraries.

Electronic reading: It’s what’s happening.

Did you get an e-reader/tablet for Hanukkah/Xmas? Our new stats show that there’s been a recent jump in e-book reading, while print reading is on the decline; and in all, the # of owners of either a tablet computer or e-book reading device such as a Kindle or Nook grew from 18% in late 2011 to 33% in late 2012.

The full report: http://pewrsr.ch/ZDqqKD

COMMUNITY PROFILES: Reading & Library Habits

Our surveys reveal interesting variations among communities in the way their residents read and use libraries. Check out the differences (e.g. Urban (80%) & suburban (80%) residents are especially likely to have read at least 1 book in the past year, Suburban residents are more likely than rural residents to read magazines or journals regularly):

(Via http://pewrsr.ch/SZ6nDr)

(Source: libraries.pewinternet.org)

Among book readers, the mean and median number of books each group read in the past 12 months, among all Americans ages 16 and older.

For example, among book readers, those ages 16-17 read an average of 17 books in the last year.

How many books did you read in the last year?

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