Survey shows impact of Randolph library computers, Internet access

Access to computers and the Internet at the Randolph County Public Library enables county residents to get jobs, get healthy and get into school, according to local results of a national survey.

The library asked users of its computers and online resources to take the U.S. Impact Survey during a three-week period in September. The survey measured how people used free computer services at the library in the past year, and the impact the services had on their lives.

“There’s an old slogan, ‘libraries change lives.’ The survey results prove that this is definitely the case in Randolph County,” said Library Director Ross Holt.

Jobseeking was a top concern of the 135 survey respondents. Sixty percent used library computers to search for jobs; 47 percent applied online or sent out resumes, and 22 percent were granted interviews.

Ten percent were hired for new positions.

Health and wellness also was a hot topic, with 43 percent of respondents using library computers to find out about diet and nutrition. Of those, 81 percent made changes to their diet.

Similarly, 38 percent sought information about exercise and fitness, and 87 percent of those who did so made changes in their exercise habits.

People also logged on to meet educational needs, with 33 percent saying they looked up information about a degree or certificate program. Twelve percent used library computers to apply online, and half of those were admitted to degree or certificate programs.

Fourteen percent applied for financial aid on library computers, with just under half of those saying they received it.

Other survey highlight

• 40 percent of respondents used library computers to pursue a hobby;
• 38 percent to find recipes;
• 42 percent to find movie, book or music reviews;
• 30 percent to meet new friends;
• 26 percent for help with a do-it-yourself project;
• 24 percent to find support for a personal issue;
• 19 percent to research genealogy.

Overall, 83 percent of respondents used library computers for searching online; 82 percent for email ; 70 percent for printing; 52 percent for social networking; and 37 percent for streaming video.

The survey also inquired about library computer use for business, e-government, e-commerce and civic engagement purposes.

Of the respondents, 95 percent said they were satisfied with public access technology at the library, and over 90 percent said that access at the library is important or very important themselves and to the community.

Holt said the library is working to address one of the most frequent suggestions for improvement expressed by respondents: more time online. The standard time limit of one hour per day is necessary to ensure fair access during busy times, Holt said, but automatic time-limit extensions allow as much as two and one-half hours, depending on the library branch, if no one is waiting for a computer.

The survey was created by the University of Washington School of Information with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was offered to libraries nationally and is part of the first large-scale study of how people use computers in public libraries.

Holt said that though the survey measures the use of relatively recent technology, the results reaffirm a traditional role of the public library. “The founders of the public library movement in the United States, way back in the late 1800s, saw the library as ‘the people’s university’ – a place in the community where everyone could freely and continually educate and improve themselves and their lives. Clearly, this holds true today,” Holt said.

View all the survey results at www.randolphlibrary.org/impactsurvey.pdf.