Pew Study: Parents Feel Library Important for Kids

A new national study revealed that the vast majority (94 percent) of parents of children younger than 18 feel that libraries are very important for their children. That value carries over into those parents' own higher-than-average use of a wide range of library services.

The Pew Research Center found that 84 percent of these parents say a major reason they want their children to have access to libraries is that libraries help instill their children's love of reading and books. Another 81 percent say that libraries provide their children with information and resources not available at home.

Parents in the Lisle community are among those who take advantage of the children's programs and services offered by the library. In fact, 30 percent of Lisle Library cardholders are children. "Our children's storytimes are usually filled to capacity," reported Lindsey Dorfman, Director of Youth Services at the Lisle Library District. "We provide a selection of adult materials in the Children's Department for parents to enjoy while their children are engaged in reading or activities, and many of those with older children venture downstairs to Adult Services as well."

Almost every parent in the national study (97 percent) said it is important for libraries to offer programs and classes for children and teens. The Pew study also found that parent's feelings about the importance of libraries for their children are associated with higher levels of library use by the parents themselves. The presence of a child or a grandchild in a family is the primary reason cited by the 30 percent of parents who say their library use has increased in the past five years. Compared with other adults who do not have minor children, these parents are also more likely to have visited a library website in the past year, and use a mobile device to connect to a library website.

"While some adults come back to the library after many years to bring their children, we find that once they are here, they discover that it's a different library than they remember as a child," noted Lisle Library Director Shannon Halikias. "The types of programs and services we now have go far beyond books and reading, and parents naturally find their way to these exciting offerings when they come with their kids. We hope they share the news about our high tech services and great programs for adults with their neighbors without children!"