Public Libraries and Hispanics Pew Report Shows Library Gap Between U.S.-Born and Immigrants; Library Journal, 3/30/15

Lisa Peet, Library Journal; Public Libraries and Hispanics Pew Report Shows Library Gap Between U.S.-Born and Immigrants:

"The Pew Research Center’s latest report taken from its 2013 Library Services Survey focuses on Public Libraries and Hispanics, examining usage patterns and attitudes among the United States Hispanic population age 16 and older. While the findings identify some differences between Latinos and their White [non-Hispanic] and African American counterparts, the greatest discrepancies lie between native-born Hispanics—those born within the 50 states or Puerto Rico—and immigrants.

Perhaps most notably, non-native Hispanics were far less likely to have ever visited a U.S. public library or bookmobile in person than Latinos born in this country. However, those immigrants who have used the library identified as the most appreciative segment of the surveyed population, consistently rating library services highest of any other group. The report introduces as many questions as it answers. But it could serve as an opportunity for discussion in libraries across the country about how to better serve a rapidly growing Hispanic population—more than 54 million living in the United States today, making up 17 percent of the population.

The data used was taken from research conducted in 2013 as part of the Pew Internet public library research initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation."