Friends of Montclair Library

Pew Research released their library research project today, including a section on Library Services in the Digital Age, about what services patrons want from their libraries.

The responses are based on a new national survey of 2,252 Americans ages 16 and older by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and underwritten by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The interviews were conducted on October 15-November 10, 2012 and done on cell phone and landlines and in English and Spanish.

Some of the desired services are obvious, like “Librarians to help people find info” and “Borrowing books.” But in subsequent questions, respondents also said they’d like libraries to help with job searches, or help them digitize their family photos, or offer interactive learning experiences like a museum.

In a perfect world, what sort of services and programs would you like to see Montclair library offer?