Why do Teens Use Libraries? Results of a Public Library Use Survey

This study gathered information from teen library users in order to answer two research questions: (1) What are the basic purposes for which young adults use public libraries? And (2) How can public libraries adapt their services to better match teens’ reasons for using them? The paper first reviews existing studies on teens’ use of libraries, finding that most teens view the library as a place to do homework and to get online. This study focused on reasons for library visits and identified eleven categories of reasons for visits, which were distilled into three main roles of the library for teen patrons: (1) Library as Information Gateway; (2) Library as Social Interaction/Entertainment Space; and (3) Library as Beneficial Social Environment. The results of this study indicate that teens use libraries in a broader way than has been reported in earlier research. The article concludes with suggestions for library practices that coincide with these three roles. Authors Abstract

(Becky Herr-Stephenson)