Public Access Computer Users: Who Are They?

The Institute of Museum & Library Services has released an interesting study analyzing who is making use of public access computers in libraries and for what purposes they use them. You can find a copy of this information brief online at http://www.imls.gov/pdf/Brief2011_04.pdf The title of this report is, Who’s in the Queue? A Demographic Analysis of Public Access Computer Users and Uses in U.S. Public Libraries, by Carlos Manjarrez & Kyle Shoembs. Those of us associated with public libraries know that despite rising levels of home computer ownership and internet access, demand for public access computers in libraries remains high. This paper examines the demographic characteristics of those responsible for this demand compared to the general population. The authors also demonstrate how the stage and condition of life correlate to the purpose for which people use public access computers.