It’s not particularly surprising for a study to find
that young Americans use computers and rely on text-messaging as a form of
communication. What may be unforeseen is that the texting generation also reads
more and uses the library more than older Americans.
The study Younger Americans’ Library Habits and Expectations by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project showed 75% of
Americans age 16-29 read a printed book in 2012, compared to 64% of Americans
30 and older. It also found young people were more likely than their older
counterparts to have visited a library in the past year, used its technology,
or accessed its web site and services remotely.
As might be expected, e-book readership is on the rise
for both young and older Americans.
The study found that 25% of Americans age 16-29 read an
e-book in 2012, compared to 19% the year before. The percentage of respondents
who read an e-book rose in every age group and peaked in the 30-49 age group
with a 16% increase to 41%.
Technology adoption by young people is also on the rise
with 98% of young adults age 18-29 reporting they use the Internet and 80%
saying they have broadband access at home. In addition, 97% own a cellphone (65%
of those are smartphones), 34% own a tablet computer, and 28% own an e-reader.
