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Library Patrons Are Shifting to Electronic Resources Libraries Patrons Shifting to Electronic Resources

But print books are still popular too.

By Sara Rizzo

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“People definitely still come to use this library, although over the few years that I’ve been here, there’s been a bit of a change in what people do.” (:08)
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Libraries are still thriving around Onondaga County.
The Onondaga County Public Libraries 20-17 Annual report says 2-point-8 million people visited the county libraries that year. And what do people use the libraries for?
The Pew Research Center 2016 library usage report says two-thirds of patrons borrow print books and about half go to read, study and engage with different types of media.
However, Teska says she’s seen a change with patrons computer use.
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“While our computers used to be very, very full, many people are coming in with their own devices and they will connect with our wifi instead of using our PCs.” (:12)
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“Where you live, depending on your economic standing, you may not have good internet access.” (:08)
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Hurst-Wahl says many people may not have internet access at all and they need to use the library for that reason.
She actually says library attendance has been increasing over the years .
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“There are people that really value what libraries have to offer” (:03)
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And what DO libraries have to offer? Programs, a children’s room, and knitting groups. Soo-el library even has a puzzle table.
Libraries also offer online resources patrons can access without leaving the comfort of their own home.
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 “A lot of people go to the library online, they don’t actually have to go physically to the library” (:5)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Public libraries in Onondaga County are still thriving, say librarians,  despite the emergence of new digital technologies. The county system reported that 2.8 million people  visited its many branches in 2017. 

“People definitely still come to use this library, although over the few years that I’ve been here, there’s been a bit of a change in what people do,” said Joanne Teska, manager of the Soule branch on the city’s east side.

Librarians there saw an uptick in library patrons using electronic resources, such as computers, Wi-Fi and e-books, Teska said.

“Taking out print books is definitely still a very relevant portion of what we do here,” she added.

The Pew Center reported that two-thirds of patrons nationwide borrow print books and about half of patrons go to read, study and engage with different types of media.

“While our computers used to be very, very full, many people are coming in with their own devices and they will connect with our Wi-Fi instead of using our PCs,” Teska said.

There’s also an economic aspect as to why people use public libraries. Jill Hurst-Wahl,  a library science professor at Syracuse University, said many people may be fiscally conservative or they just don’t have access to the internet.

“A lot of people go to the library online,” Hurst-Wahl said.  “They don’t actually have to go physically to the library.”

Libraries have a lot to offer, including programs, children’s room and knitting groups, Hurst-Wahl said. She does not think libraries will be going out of business any time soon.

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