Uses of Study Data

Over the years, data from the surveys have appeared in Supreme Court decisions, Congressional testimony and reports, government program requests for comments (e.g., Federal Communications Commission, National Telecommunications and Information Administration) reports, media sources, issue briefs, and the U.S. Statistical Abstracts.  Some samples include:

• The U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Children's Internet Protection Act (US v. ALA, no. 02-361);
• The U.S. Statistical Abstracts, Table 1117 - Public Library Use of the Internet;
• Media reports such as MSNBC's "Libraries Lend A Hand in Tough Times";
• Issue briefs on how libraries help with jobs, education, and e-government.
• Government reports, such as the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to States Program Activities and the Transformation of Library Services to the Public (June 2009).

Thus the surveys inform critical policy debates regarding the roles of public libraries in an Internet-enabled environment, provide substantive data regarding the impact of public libraries on the communities that they serve, and assist libraries advocate for funding and critical resources.

For more information regarding the surveys, contact Dr. John Carlo Bertot.