If you need to do some advocacy to support the importance of youth services programming, materials, and staff, a new study from the Pew Research Center gives you some great statistics to quote! Here's one: Almost every parent (97%) feels it is important for libraries to offer programs and classes. That's a lot of parents! Here are some other key findings:
- 94% of parents say libraries are important for their children
and 79% describe libraries as “very important.” That is especially true
of parents of young children (those under 6), some 84% of whom describe
libraries as very important.
- 84% of these parents who say libraries are important say a major
reason they want their children to have access to libraries is that libraries help inculcate their children’s love of reading and books.
- 81% say a major reason libraries are important is that libraries provide their children with information and resources not available at home.
- 71% also say a major reason libraries are important is that libraries are a safe place for children.
Plus, parents are more likely to use libraries than other adults are:
Nice to have some more back-up, isn't it??
Thanks to Marge Loch Wouters and Paul Nelson for the heads-up about the most recent Pew Research Center's study. Labels: advocacy, research, statistics