DATA BOOKLET. Shining a light. How people in the UK and Ireland use public libraries and what they think of them. Dr Jenny Peachey

Transcription

1 DATA BOOKLET Shining a light How people in the UK and Ireland use public libraries and what they think of them Dr Jenny Peachey

2 ABOUT THE CARNEGIE UK TRUST The Carnegie UK Trust works to improve the lives of people throughout the UK and Ireland, by changing minds through influencing policy, and by changing lives through innovative practice and partnership work. The Carnegie UK Trust was established by Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in Many thanks to the team at Ipsos MORI and especially Ciaran Mulholland, Research Manager, who conducted the research that provides the basis of this report; Martyn Evans, Chief Executive at the Carnegie UK Trust and Douglas White, Head of Advocacy at the Carnegie UK Trust for their support and input on drafts of this report; and to Lucy Boyd and Mathew Whittles at LBD Creative for their wonderful design work. The text of this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution- ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license visit, by-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.

3 1 Table of contents Introduction 2 Key findings 4 The overall picture 6 Focusing in on gender 10 Focusing in on households with and without children 14 Focusing in on age 18 Focusing in on working status 22 Focusing in on socio-economic group 26 Focusing in on readership 34 Attitudes towards potential changes and improvements to the library service 38 Opinions on volunteers 49 Appendix 1 51 Appendix 2 54 Appendix 3 55

4 2 INTRODUCTION Introduction BACKGROUND Five years ago the Carnegie UK Trust conducted research into the use of public libraries and public attitudes towards libraries in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. This was the first time data was generated that enabled direct comparison across jurisdictions. In 2016 we ran the survey again to examine whether attitudes towards libraries and levels of use have changed since We added some new questions to reflect some of the current debate around volunteers and changes in services. Research was carried out by Ipsos MORI for the Carnegie UK Trust. The research consisted of an omnibus poll carried out in all five jurisdictions covered by the Trust in its work. This booklet contains an overview of the data that was collated. Where relevant, comparison is made between jurisdictions and with the 2011 statistics. Factsheets covering each jurisdiction separately, a policy report and a technical report can be downloaded as separate documents from If you would like to access the complete datasets in SPSS format please contact info@carnegieuk.org HOW TO READ THIS BOOKLET When reading the booklet, it would be helpful to bear in mind the following points on methodology, analysis, visuals and terminology. Analysis Throughout this data booklet we have reported on the percentages. This is consistent with how we reported our data in Tests for statistical significance were carried out within a given demographic category and for changes over time within a given jurisdiction. A list of statistically significant differences between groups and changes over time are reported in Appendix 3. Logistic regression was carried out to identify factors that are predictors of 1) the likelihood of respondents having used a library in the past 12 months and 2) the likelihood of respondents having used the library frequently in the past 12 months. This form of analysis controls for the effects of different factors. The following demographic factors were included in regression analysis: gender; whether or not there were children in the household; age; working status; readership; and socio-economic group. METHODOLOGY The omnibus polling was conducted in the following ways with the sample size and age groups below. The sample sizes in the poll make it possible to make inferences about the population in each jurisdiction. Jurisdiction Method Sample England Face-to-face 1,341 adults 15+ Ireland Telephone 1,011 adults 15+ Northern Ireland Face-to-face 1,013 adults 16+ Scotland Telephone 1,000 adults 18+ Wales Face-to-face 1,011 adults 16+

5 Shining a light 3 The results of statistical significance and logistic regression may vary. This is because although statistical significance testing will show whether or not there is a significant difference between certain groups, this difference may be explained by other factors affecting the relationship between different groups. Logistic regression, however, assumes that all other factors are equal, and will remove the other factors that may have an influence on these groups. This allows identification of the factors which have a significant impact on the variable of interest. Reading the visuals Charts that display the results for a given issue across all jurisdictions are based on absolute percentages. Key differences between jurisdictions and within demographic groups have been pulled out as separate infographics. The findings for logistic regression are included throughout the booklet as boxed text where appropriate. Notes There are two differences in how data was collated between 2011 and In 2016 the definition of prolific readership was changed to one or more books every eight weeks from one or more books in six weeks to better align answers to interview questions. In 2016 data in Northern Ireland by working status was collated by not working and working alone. TERMINOLOGY Libraries refers to public libraries alone People refers to respondents to the survey but given the sample sizes in the research it is appropriate to use the word people Use used or contacted the library in the 12 months prior to the omnibus poll Frequent use used or contacted the library at least once every month in the 12 months prior to the omnibus poll Library user refers to those who used the library in the 12 months prior to the omnibus poll Non-user refers to those who have not used the library in the 12 months prior to the omnibus poll Frequent user library users that used or contacted the library at least once every month in the 12 months prior to the omnibus poll Prolific reader refers to those who read at least one book every eight weeks Readership readership is defined in terms of books that were read in any format (eg a physical book, on a e-reader or other device, or audio book) not including books that are read for paid work or academic study Important refers to the categories of essential and very important alone. Fairly important has been excluded from this definition to sharpen analysis. Definitions of socio-economic groups are in the appendices

6 4 KEY FINDINGS The Big Picture AROUND 1 2 / of people still use the library in each jurisdiction but there s a decline in how frequently people are using libraries across all jurisdictions Convergence in library use across jurisdictions Women continue to be more likely to use libraries and to use libraries frequently Those with children in their household continue to be more likely to use libraries PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that the following factors are predictors of the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months. England Being younger (aged 15-24) Having children in the household Being a prolific reader Being a woman Being in socio-economic group ABC1 Ireland Being younger (aged 15-24) Having children in the household Being a prolific reader Being a woman Not working full-time PTE 55+ ABC1 NW Library use lowest among over 55s Part time employees and those not working most likely to use libraries Socioeconomic grouping ABC1 more likely to use the library but see decline in frequent use in this grouping in England, Ireland and Wales. Northern Ireland Having children in the household Being a prolific reader Being a woman Not working was a predictor for the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months Being in socio-economic group ABC1 Scotland Being relatively younger (aged 25-34) Having children in the household Being a prolific reader Not working full-time Wales Being younger (aged 15-24) Having children in the household Being a prolific reader Being a woman Being in socio-economic group ABC1

7 Shining a light 5 ATTITUDES TOWARDS LIBRARIES AROUND 3 4 / of people in each jurisdiction say libraries important to the community So people say libraries more important for the community than for themselves personally AROUND 2 5 / of people in each jurisdiction say libraries important to themselves personally but interestingly more people use libraries than say they re important for themselves personally Those with children in their household more likely to say libraries important to them personally but having children in the household makes little difference to whether people say libraries important to the community Women more likely to say libraries important to the community and to themselves personally year olds least likely to say libraries important to the community but age doesn t impact too much on whether people say libraries important personally R Retirees most likely to say libraries important to the community in England, Ireland and Scotland but working status doesn t impact too much on whether people say libraries important personally ABC1 Socioeconomic grouping ABC1 more likely to say libraries important to the community and more likely to say libraries important to themselves personally in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales ATTITUDES TO POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS, CHANGES AND THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS Across the jurisdictions the most commonly mentioned changes which people said would encourage them to use the library more were: providing other council services in library buildings providing better information on what services offer a café or coffee shop on-site offering more events AROUND 1 2 / Increased appetite for changes and improvements to library services in England, Ireland and Wales Majority of people in each jurisdiction against volunteers replacing all paid staff of people in each jurisdiction in favour of using volunteers to add value to services paid staff offer

8 6 THE OVERALL PICTURE Libraries used by around 1 in 2 people OVERVIEW Library use (%) Yes No Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 (% Yes) 50% Joint highest 61% 46% 51% 50% 50% 40% 43% 45% 46% THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 AROUND 1 2 / of people in each jurisdiction use libraries There have been slight increases in use in Northern Ireland and Wales Scotland still has highest level of use There have been slight drops in use in England and Ireland -4-1 Northern Ireland still has lowest level of use There has been a larger drop in use in Scotland but there is a convergence in library use across the UK and Ireland

9 Shining a light 7 More than 40% of library users use libraries every month but this is under pressure OVERVIEW Frequency of library use (%) At least once a week Below once a week, but at least once a month Below once a month, but at least 3-4 times Twice Once Don t know 1 * * * 1 * Base: All respondents (% of users who had used a library at least once a month) 52% 46% 57% 49% 51% 45% 56% 49% 57% 41% THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 OVER 2 5 / of users in each jurisdiction use libraries at least once a month Frequency of use has dropped slightly across all jurisdictions Decline in frequent use most pronounced in Wales -16

10 8 THE OVERALL PICTURE People say libraries more important for the community than for people personally OVERVIEW Importance of the public library to the community and to you personally (%) Used library in last 12 months Important to community Important personally Base: All respondents 1,341 1,301 1,011 1,000 1,013 1,009 1,000 1,002 1,011 1,018 Highest 72% 79% 74% 77% 76% 46% 40% 50% 44% 43% 37% 50% 37% 46% 37% Used library in last 12 months Important to community Important personally

11 Shining a light 9 THE PICTURE IN 2016 AROUND 1 2 / of people in each jurisdiction use libraries AROUND 3 4 / of people in each jurisdiction say libraries important to communities OVER 2 5 / of respondents in each jurisdiction say libraries important personally More people say libraries are important for their community than for themselves personally - but interestingly more people use libraries than say they value them for themselves personally. COMPARING 2011 AND Data indicates mixed picture in proportion of people who say libraries important to community across all jurisdictions Data indicates decline in proportion of people who say libraries important personally across all jurisdictions The biggest change is: The biggest change is: +9-10

12 10 FOCUSING IN ON GENDER Women more likely to use libraries and to use them frequently OVERVIEW Library use by gender (%) All Men Women Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest Frequency of library use by gender (% of users who used a library at least once a month) All Men Women Base: All who have used a library is the last 12 months Highest

13 Shining a light 11 Library use by gender 2016 & Frequent library use by gender 2016 & THE PICTURE IN 2016 Women more likely to use libraries across all jurisdictions Women more likely to be frequent users of libraries across the jurisdictions except in England COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Overall, men show decline in use The biggest change is: Overall, women The biggest change is: -7 show mixed picture in use Overall decline in frequency of use among men except in England Overall decline in frequency of use among women PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that being a woman is a predictor for the likelihood of people having used a library in the past 12 months in all jurisdictions except Scotland. Wales sees biggest drops in frequent use among women and men

14 12 FOCUSING IN ON GENDER... and women more likely than men to say libraries important OVERVIEW Importance of the public library to the community by gender (% Essential / Very important) All Men Women Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest Importance of the public library to you personally by gender (% Essential / Very important) All Men Women Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest

15 Shining a light 13 Essential / very important to the community (%) Essential / very important to you personally (%) THE PICTURE IN 2016 Women more likely to say libraries important to the community Women more likely to say libraries important to themselves personally COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data indicates mixed picture in terms of whether men more or less likely to say libraries important to the community across all jurisdictions in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes are: Data suggests smaller proportion of men likely to say libraries important to them personally across all jurisdictions in 2016 compared with 2011 Overall, data indicates greater proportion of women likely to say libraries important to community in 2016 compared with 2011 Data indicates mixed picture of whether women more or less likely to say libraries important to themselves personally in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes are: -12-6

16 14 FOCUSING IN ON HOUSEHOLDS WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDREN People with children in their households more likely to use libraries OVERVIEW Library use by households with children (% Yes) All All without children All with children Highest Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1, THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Across all jurisdictions people in households with children more likely to use libraries than people in households without children Data indicates mixed picture across jurisdictions in terms of whether people with and without children in their households are more or less likely to use libraries in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest change is: -14 PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that having children in the household is a predictor for the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months

17 Shining a light but having children in the household has less impact on frequency of library use OVERVIEW Frequency of library use by households with children (% of users who used a library at least once a month) All All without children All with children Base: All who have used a library is the last 12 months Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 There is a mixed picture across the jurisdictions in terms of whether people with children in the household are more or less likely than people without children in the household to use libraries Data indicates decline in frequency of use across all jurisdictions among households without children Overall, data indicates decline in frequency of use across all jurisdictions among households with children The biggest changes are: The biggest changes are:

18 16 FOCUSING IN ON HOUSEHOLDS WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDREN People with children in their household more likely to say libraries important personally OVERVIEW Importance to you personally by households with/without children (% Essential / Very important) All All without children All with children Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Across all jurisdictions people with children in their household more likely than people without children in their household to say libraries important to themselves personally People without children in their household less likely to say libraries important to themselves personally across all jurisdictions in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest change is: -13 Mixed picture as to whether people with children in their household more or less likely to say libraries important to themselves personally across all jurisdictions in 2016 compared with 2011

19 Shining a light but having children in the household has little impact on whether people say libraries important to the community OVERVIEW Importance to the community by households with/without children (% Essential / Very important) All All without children All with children Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 There is a mixed picture across the jurisdictions in terms of whether people with children in the household are more or less likely than people without children in the household to say libraries important to the community Data suggests mixed picture as to whether groups more or less likely to say libraries important to themselves personally in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes are:

20 18 FOCUSING IN ON AGE Library use high among year olds and low among over 55s OVERVIEW Library use by age (% Yes) All years years years Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND year olds top for library use in England, Ireland and Northern Ireland Across all jurisdictions, over 55s least likely to use libraries year olds more likely to use libraries than over 55s across all jurisdictions Data indicates mixed picture in terms of whether a give age group is more or less likely to use the library in 2016 compared to 2011 The biggest changes are: PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that being years old is a predictor for the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months in England, Ireland and Wales Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that being years old is a predictor for the likelihood of library use in in the past 12 months in Scotland

21 Shining a light but age has less impact on frequency of use OVERVIEW Frequency of library use by age % of users who used a library at least once a month All years years years Base: All respondents Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether given age group is more or less likely to use libraries frequently than another age group Overall drop in frequency of library use across all age groups across jurisdictions The biggest drops are: Overall, age has little impact on frequency of use within given jurisdiction with the exception of Ireland where year olds much less likely to use libraries frequently than all other age groups and Scotland where year olds are much less likely to use libraries frequently than year olds and those over Wales sees biggest overall drop of all jurisdictions in frequent use by age group

22 20 FOCUSING IN ON AGE years olds least likely to say libraries important for the community OVERVIEW Importance of libraries to the community by age (% Yes) All years years years Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND year olds less likely than all other age groups to say libraries important to the community Data indicates greater proportion of year olds say libraries important to community in Northern Ireland and Wales in 2016 compared with 2011 Data indicates greater proportion of year olds say libraries important to community in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in 2016 compared with 2011 Data indicates mixed picture in terms of whether year olds more or less likely to say libraries important to the community in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest change is: Data indicates mixed picture in terms of whether over 55s more or less likely to say libraries important to the community in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest change is:

23 Shining a light but age doesn t impact too much on whether people say libraries important personally OVERVIEW Importance of libraries personally by age (% Essential / Very important) All years years years Base: 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether one age group is more or less likely than another age group to say libraries important personally The key variations in opinion between groups include: Data indicates mixed picture in terms of whether a given age group is more or less likely to say libraries important personally in 2016 compared with 2011 although the overall picture is one of decline The biggest changes by age group are: Ireland and Wales show no key variations in whether libraries seen as important to people personally by age group

24 22 FOCUSING IN ON WORKING STATUS Those working part-time or not working most likely to use the library OVERVIEW Library use by working status (% Yes) All Full-time employment Part-time employment Not working Retired Base 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 PTE NW Those working part-time or not working most likely groups to use the library... with the exception of Northern Ireland where it is not possible to make this distinction. Data suggests mixed picture in changes in library use across groups in The key variables by working status include: NW +7 NW -13 R -18 NW PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that not working full time is a predictor for the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months in Ireland and Scotland, whilst not working is a predictor for the likelihood of library use over the same time period in Northern Ireland alone. -11

25 Shining a light 23 Those not working most likely to be frequent users in England, Ireland and Scotland OVERVIEW Frequency of library use by working status (% of users who used a library at least once a month) All Full-time employment Part-time employment Not working Retired Base: All who have used a library is the last 12 months Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 NW Data indicates that those not working most likely to be frequent users in England, Ireland and Scotland Overall, data indicates decline in frequent use across all jurisdictions The biggest changes in frequent library use are: PTE FTE FTE -11 PTE -15 R -24

26 24 FOCUSING IN ON WORKING STATUS Retirees more likely to say libraries important for the community in England, Ireland and Scotland OVERVIEW Importance of libraries to the community by working status (% Essential / Very important) All Full-time employment Part-time employment Not working Retired Base: 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 R Data indicates retirees most likely to say libraries important for the community in England, Ireland and Scotland Wales only jurisdiction where part time employees most likely group to say libraries important to the community Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether a given working status is more or less likely to say libraries important to the community in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes are: W +10 NW +8 R Data suggests a uniform decline among the percentage of retirees who say libraries important to the community 1 1 Generalisation excludes Northern Ireland where data only allows for distinction to be drawn between working and not working.

27 Shining a light 25 Working status has little impact on whether people say libraries important personally OVERVIEW Importance of libraries personally by working status (% Essential / Very important) All Full-time employment Part-time employment Not working Retired Base: 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 Highest THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether one working status is more or less likely than another working status to say libraries important to them personally Overall, data depicts picture of decline in terms of whether a given working status is more or less likely to say libraries important personally in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes over time are: NW -9 W -7 PTE R -19

28 26 FOCUSING IN ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP Those in socio-economic group ABC1 more likely to use the library in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales OVERVIEW Library use by socio-economic group 2 (% Yes) England Ireland N Ireland Wales Scotland All All A 3 5 (least deprived) B C C D E F 4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 (most deprived) Not stated Base 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,018 1,011 1,002 1,000 2 See Appendices for definitions of socio-economic groups 3 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small 4 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small

29 Shining a light 27 THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 ABC1 Data indicates those in ABC1 are more likely to use the library than those in C2DE in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales Overall, data indicates mixed picture in changes in library use across socioeconomic grouping The biggest changes in library use over time are: C1 +9 C2-10 DE -8 1&2-9 4&5-14

30 28 FOCUSING IN ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP but frequent library use by socio-economic group ABC1 is in decline in England, Ireland and Wales OVERVIEW Frequency of library use by socio-economic group 5 (% yes) England Ireland N Ireland Wales Scotland All All A 6 5 (least deprived) B C C D E F 7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 (most deprived) Not stated Base See Appendices for definitions of socio-economic groups 6 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small 7 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small

31 Shining a light 29 THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether given socio-economic grouping more or less likely to use the library frequently than another socioeconomic group Overall, data indicates decline in frequency of library use by socio-economic group The biggest declines are: ABC AB C1C2-10 C2DE C F -29 4&5-15 In England, socioeconomic group DE are less likely than AB to use the library but are more likely to use the library frequently than AB.

32 30 FOCUSING IN ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP Those in socio-economic group ABC1 more likely to say libraries important to the community in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales OVERVIEW Importance of libraries to the community by socio-economic group 8 (% Essential / Very important) England Ireland N Ireland Wales Scotland All All A 9 5 (least deprived) B C C D E F 10 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 (most deprived) Not stated Base 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,018 1,011 1,002 1,000 8 See Appendices for definitions of socio-economic groups 9 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small 10 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small

33 Shining a light 31 THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether a given socio-economic grouping is more or less likely to say libraries important to the community than another socio-economic grouping In Scotland, the most deprived are the most likely to say libraries important to the community Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether a given socioeconomic grouping is more or less likely to say libraries important to the community in 2016 compared with 2011 The biggest changes are: ABC1 +14 AB +16 C1 +11 C2 +14 C2-8 DE +7 F -16

34 32 FOCUSING IN ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP Socio-economic group ABC1 more likely to say libraries important to themselves personally in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales OVERVIEW Importance of libraries personally by socio-economic group 11 (% Essential / Very important) England Ireland N Ireland Wales Scotland All All A 12 5 (least deprived) B C C D E F 13 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 (most deprived) Not stated Base 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,018 1,011 1,002 1, See Appendices for definitions of socio-economic groups 12 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small 13 Figure in this category should be treated as indicative rather than representative as the base size is small

35 Shining a light 33 THE PICTURE IN 2016 COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents mixed picture in terms of whether a given socio-economic grouping is more or less likely to say libraries important personally than another socio-economic group Overall, data indicates decline in proportion of given socio-economic grouping saying libraries important personally The key changes include: AB -12 C2-8 1&2-9 4&5-15

36 34 FOCUSING IN ON READERSHIP Prolific readers more likely to use libraries but 21-30% of those who never or rarely read books use the library OVERVIEW Library use by readership (% Yes) Infrequent readers Rarely/never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week Base: All respondents 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011 THE PICTURE IN 2016 Frequent readers Prolific readers more likely to use libraries than those that aren t prolific readers 21 to 30% of those who never or rarely read books use the library COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents overall picture of decline in use by prolific readers Data presents mixed picture in changes in use among infrequent readers (rarely, never read or read one book a year): The biggest changes in use are: The biggest changes -7-8 in use are:

37 Shining a light Library use by readership Rarely/ never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week 2016 Library use by readership Rarely/ never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that being a prolific reader is a predictor for the likelihood of library use in the past 12 months

38 36 FOCUSING IN ON READERSHIP Prolific readers more likely to be frequent library users but 25-41% of library users who never or rarely read books are frequent users Frequent library use by readership (% yes) Infrequent readers Rarely/never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week Base: All respondents THE PICTURE IN 2016 Frequent readers Prolific readers more likely to use libraries frequently 25 to 41% of those who never or rarely read books use the library frequently in the previous 12 months COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 Data presents overall picture of decline in frequent use by prolific readers Data presents mixed picture in changes in frequent use among infrequent readers (rarely, never read or read one book a year): The biggest declines in frequent use are: The biggest change in frequent use is: +4

39 Shining a light Frequent library use by readership Rarely/ never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week 2016 Frequent library use by readership Rarely/ never read books About one book a year About one book every 6 months About one book every 2 to 3 months About one book every 2 to 8 weeks About one book a week More than one book a week PREDICTORS Logistic regression analysis, which controls for other factors, shows that being a prolific reader is a predictor for the likelihood of frequent library use in the past 12 months.

40 38 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE Increased appetite for changes and improvements to library services in England, Ireland and Wales OVERVIEW Possible changes and improvements to encourage library use (% yes) Improving the range and quality of books Being able to look for or reserve books online Offering more mobile library services in your area Longer opening hours Providing better information on what services libraries offer Improving the IT facilities Being able to access library services in other locations Providing other council services in library buildings A café or coffee shop on site Offering more maker activities Offering more events Base 1,301 1,341 1,000 1,011 1,009 1,013 1,002 1,000 1,018 1,011

41 Shining a light 39 THE PICTURE IN 2016 Across the jurisdictions the most commonly mentioned changes which people said would encourage them to use the library more were: providing other council services in library buildings providing better information on what services offer a café or coffee shop on-site offering more events COMPARING 2011 AND 2016 England, Ireland and Wales see clear increase in proportion of people who would be encouraged to use the library if changes and improvements made Northern Ireland presents mixed picture of increased and decreased support for improvements and changes Scotland only jurisdiction to see decline in proportion of people who would be encouraged to use the library if changes and improvements made

42 40 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE Improving the range and quality of books 46% % 58% 60% 48% 46% 49% 54% 36% 40% Being able to look for or reserve books online 45% 48% % 59% 46% 45% 47% 56% 35% 42% Offering more mobile library services in your area 29% % 34% 35% 39% 41% 26% 28% 24% 30%

43 Shining a light 41 Longer opening hours 41% 43% % 52% 38% 40% 43% 45% 33% 36% Providing better information on what services libraries offer 45% 54% % 67% 54% 54% 52% 60% 39% 52% Improving the IT facilities 33% 41% % 58% 45% 44% 34% 41% 31% 38%

44 42 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE Being able to access library services in other locations 35% 40% % 54% 41% 42% 38% 39% 29% 36% Providing other council services in library buildings 42% 51% % 62% 51% 56% 48% 51% 39% 50% A café or coffee shop on site 40% 50% % 50% 59% 58% 48% 50% 38% 49%

45 Shining a light 43 Offering more maker activities 38% % 42% 32% 35% Offering more events 53% % 58% 55% 51%

46 44 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE Users more likely to be encouraged to use library service if improvements and changes made OVERVIEW Possible changes and improvements to encourage library use by users and non-users (2016) (% yes) Improving the range and quality of books Being able to look for or reserve books online Offering more mobile library services in your area User User User User User Nonusers Nonusers Nonusers Nonusers Nonusers Longer opening hours Providing better information on what services libraries offer Improving the IT facilities Being able to access library services in other locations Providing other council services in library buildings A café or coffee shop on site Offering more maker activities Offering more events Base (unweighted)

47 Shining a light 45 THE PICTURE IN 2016 Overall, library users more likely to say suggested library changes would encourage library use than non-library users Most popular changes and improvements by library use (2016) Users 68% 81% 75% 66% 66% 66% Nonusers 42% 42% 52% 48% 43% 41%

48 46 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE Most popular changes and improvements by demographic group in 2016 MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY GENDER Men 49% 62% 55% 54% 50% Women 58% 72% 63% 56% 54% MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN With children Without children 63% 71% 69% 68% 63% 49% 65% 54% 50% 48% KEY Improving the range and quality of books Being able to look for or reserve books online Offering more mobile library services in your area Providing better information on what services libraries offer Being able to access library services in other locations Improving the IT facilities Longer opening hours Providing other council services in library buildings A café or coffee shop on site Offering more maker activities Offering more events

49 Shining a light 47 MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY AGE year olds year olds year olds 55+ year olds 60% 73% 75% 68% 68% 63% 72% 68% 71% 62% 59% 70% 63% 65% 56% 48% 60% 46% 44% 44% MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY WORKING STATUS Full-time employment 56% 66% 65% 57% Part-time employment 59% 61% 72% 63% 62% Not working 59% 72% 66% 61% Retired 57% 46% 59% 43% 46%

50 48 ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIBRARY SERVICE MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY READERSHIP Prolific readers Rarely/never read books 62% 76% 67% 60% 59% 40% 49% 44% 39% 38% MOST POPULAR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS BY SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP Social grade England Ireland N Ireland Wales Deprivation Scotland A 61% 64% 67% 67% 5 (least deprived) 65% B 57% 70% 68% 60% 4 57% C1 60% 60% 58% 56% 3 55% C2 48% 72% 56% 42% 2 58% D 53% 72% 59% 58% 1 (most deprived) 56% E 52% 63% 57% 51% n/a n/a F n/a 59% n/a n/a n/a n/a

51 OPINIONS ON VOLUNTEERS 49 Majority opposed to using volunteers to replace all paid staff OVERVIEW Opinions regarding the possibility of volunteers replacing all paid staff in libraries (%) Strongly in favour of Tend to favour Neither favour nor oppose Tend to oppose Strongly opposed to Don t know * Base size: All % 6% 19% 26% 46% 6% 7% 15% 21% 49% 2% 1% 7% 15% 30% 47% 2% 4% 9% 17% 65% 3% 2% 7% 17% 24% 50% THE PICTURE IN 2016 No significant difference between demographic groups as to whether people more likely to be in favour of volunteers replacing paid staff Those who say libraries not important to the community more likely than average to be in favour of volunteers replacing paid staff year olds more likely than average to be in favour of volunteers replacing paid staff

52 50 OPINIONS ON VOLUNTEERS Around half in favour of using volunteers to add value to services paid staff offer OVERVIEW Opinions regarding the possibility of volunteers adding value to services of paid library staff (%) Strongly in favour of Tend to favour Neither favour nor oppose Tend to oppose Strongly opposed to Don t know Base size: All % 37% 28% 14% 9% 22% 31% 23% 7% 14% 3% 10% 47% 21% 14% 8% 19% 39% 18% 7% 14% 3% 12% 41% 25% 12% 11% THE PICTURE IN 2016 Socio-economic group AB more likely than average to be in favour of volunteers adding value to existing staff Over 55s less likely than average to be in favour of volunteers adding value to existing staff in Scotland Those who say libraries not important to the community less likely than average to be in favour of volunteers adding value to existing staff Those who say libraries not important to the community less likely than average to be in favour of volunteers adding value to existing staff

53 APPENDIX 1 51 Survey Questions: public views of libraries ASK ALL I d now like to ask you some questions about public libraries in [INSERT COUNTRY] RANDOMISE ORDER IN WHICH QCA1A AND QCA1B ARE ASKED CA1a (And) Generally speaking, how important or unimportant do you think public libraries are as a service to the community? READ OUT. SINGLE CODE CA1b (And) How important or unimportant are public libraries to you personally? READ OUT. SINGLE CODE a b Essential 1 1 Very important 2 2 Fairly important 3 3 Not very important 4 4 Not at all important 5 5 Don t know 6 6 CA2 Now thinking about all types of public libraries, including libraries provided in public buildings, on-line library services and mobile libraries, have you used or contacted a public library in [INSERT COUNTRY] in the last 12 months? SINGLE CODE Yes 1 No 2 ASK ALL WHO HAVE USED LIBRARY IN LAST 12 MONTHS (CODE 1) AT QCA2 CA3 And how often in the last 12 months have you used or contacted a public library in [INSERT COUNTRY]? READ OUT. SINGLE CODE ONLY At least once a week 1 Less often than once a week but at least once a month 2 Less often than once a month but at least 3-4 times 3 Twice 4 Once 5 Don t know 6 ASK ALL CA4 On average, how many books, if any, do you read or listen to in any format? Please do not include any books that you read for paid work or academic study. [IF ASKED]: By any format we mean traditional paper books, on an e-reader, for example a kindle, and audio books] Would you say that you read READ OUT. SINGLE CODE ONLY more than one book a week 1 about one book a week 2 about one book every 2 to 8 weeks 3 about one book every 2 to 3 months 4 about one book every 6 months 5 about one book a year 5 rarely read books 6..never read books 7 Don t know 8

54 52 APPENDIX 1 ASK ALL CA5 I m going to read out a number of potential changes to public library services in [INSERT COUNTRY]. For each, tell me if this change would encourage you to make more use of library services, or if would not make any difference to you? READ OUT. SINGLE CODE ONLY. ROTATE ORDER. Would encourage Would not make a difference Don t know A Improving the range and quality of books C Being able to access library services in other locations, for example shopping centres, or community centres D Improving the IT facilities provided in libraries E Being able to look for or reserve books online F Providing other council services in library buildings, for example, adult education classes or benefits advice G Providing better information on what services libraries offer H Longer opening hours I A café or coffee shop on site J Offering more mobile library services in your area K Offering more maker activities such as coding and robotics clubs, knitting and other crafts L Offering more events such as author events, gigs, film screenings and employment fairs ASK ALL CA6 A B I am now going ask you two questions about the role of volunteers in public library services. For each, please tell me to what extent you are in favour of or opposed to the change? READ OUT. SINGLE CODE ONLY. RANDOMISE ORDER. Use of volunteers to replace all paid staff Use of volunteers to add value to the services paid staff offer Strongly in favour of Tend to favour Neither favour nor oppose Tend to oppose Strongly opposed to Don t know