A Third of Americans Use Library Computers

According to an article on www.edweek.org, "a third of Americans 14 and older — about 77 million people — use public library computers to look for jobs, connect with friends, do their homework and improve their lives." This was somewhat shocking to read considering that I am in college and it seems as if majority of all of us have laptops or computers of our own. They say it used by a widespread of people thought, not just by poorer people that cannot afford computers or Internet.

Here are some interesting facts about computer use at the libraries from the article:
-- Researchers found that those living below the federal poverty line — families of four with a household income of $22,000 or less — had the highest use of library computers.
--Among those households, 44 percent reported using public library computers and Internet access during the past year.
--Among those aged 14 to 24 in poor households, 61 percent used public library computers and Internet for education purposes.
--Nearly half of the nation's 14- to 18-year-olds — about 11.8 million people — reported using a library last year and a quarter of teens used the library at least once a week.

The most common uses for library computers included:
--gaining access to government agencies
--searching for jobs and filling out applications
--doing homework
--communicating with friends and family
--banking
--seeking health advice
--running a business
--completing online courses
--seeking financial aid for college

One of the most interesting results that I found throughout all of their research was that over 80% of the users of the public computers changed their diets after using the computers. I thought this was very a very interesting result considering that health factors/diets/foods were not one of the most common uses for the library computers, yet 80% changed their diet after doing so. I would think that with such a large percentage, something relating to health would have been listed as one of the most common uses of the computers.

Another interesting fact that I found interesting from this study was that one in four Americans use public library computers while traveling. Being that I own my own personal laptop, I cannot imagine ever having to use a public computer when I am traveling. I just found this very interesting.

I hope you found these facts as interesting as I did. To read the article in it's entirety, go to: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/25/341603uslibrarycomputeruse_ap.html.

"Education Week: Login." Education Week American Education News Site of Record. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2010. .