New York Times
The Well-Wired Use Libraries More

By ALEX MINDLIN

Library use is far more prevalent among people who have a broadband Internet connection at home or at work, according to a new study. The finding counters a decade-old assumption that libraries serve as a “bridge” for people who want to use the Internet, but have only dial-up connections, or no access at all.

“People in the low-access population don’t often think, ‘If I only had the Internet, I’d be in a different position,’” said Lee Rainie, director for the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which performed the study in tandem with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The study also found that people 18 to 30 years old were the age group most likely to have recently used a library. “They are the most recently in school,” said Mr. Rainie, “so they potentially have a better sense of the way that libraries have become more wired and more high-tech.”