Reading, Writing, and Research in the Digital Age

 Reading, writing, and research in the digital age. (2013, November 3). Retrieved June 29, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/11/04/reading-writing-and-research-in-the-digital-age/

Zickuhr researched and wrote about how the internet has changed the way teens and adults find information.  From research to current events, a majority of the population uses the internet to find information.

The use of television and newspapers as a source for news has decreased dramatically. 71% of  internet users under 30 get their news from the internet instead of newspapers and television.  Since the internet is always readily available thanks to smart phones and tablets, users report that they spend 30% or more time accessing the news.  

Books are still preferred over ebooks by readers of all ages, however ebooks are preferred for reading while traveling and for getting books quickly.  Ebooks are most likely to be accessed from a smart phone or laptop.

More than half of Americans are still using libraries for to look for books, browsing books and the internet, and to get help from a librarian.  A quarter of the users are also using library websites to search the online catalog, get library info, reserve a book, or read book reviews.

Over 90% of users use Google as a tool for research.  Less than 20% use online databases that are more reliable.  The use of the internet for research can be good and bad.  Users need to know how to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.  They may need to search longer on Google than on databases because Google will have so many more results.

Easy and fast access to the internet and technology is changing the way users gain access to information, news and books.  Libraries will have to evolve to keep up with the changes.  More libraries are offering ebooks for check out, have more computers for patron use, and have made their websites more accessible with more information for patrons.  Librarians will also have to teach students how to search beyond Google.  

28 pages