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Library Services and Community Demographic Data

Alisha Short

Ivy Tech Community College

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Community demographics play a crucial role when libraries add to their collection.

Programming, events and resources revolve around the community served. Demographic data

affects how important library decisions are made. These demographics allow for the planning of

future investments and services that a library can provide to their community. By knowing the

statistics of the community served, the library is able to provide resources the community needs.

Demographic data allows for staff to see different characteristics about the people in the area

served by the library. A library will be able to see statistical information about their community,

which will give them a starting point as to what would benefit the community the most.

Demographic data will allow libraries to identify their community’s needs and will show what

services and resources should be provided in order for the people to be successful.

It is important that libraries meet the needs of their patrons and communities. Library staff

have to perform an analysis about those they serve, this includes gathering a variety of data.

Gathering demographic data is an important step that will provide the library with goals and

objectives for future planning. I believe it is imperative that staff get to know their community in

order to properly serve them. Collecting demographic data will allow staff to see the different

characteristics that make up their community. This will put them in a better position to provide

needed resources and programming to their patrons. Unemployment numbers, wages, age groups

and race are found when looking at demographic data. For example, my local community has a

high number of senior citizens. This demographic data is great for library staff to know, because

now they can provide programming and resources that will impact this age group. Health related

programming, fitness classes and outreach services are some programming ideas for this group.

Genealogy resources and retirement information may be heavily requested by seniors. This data

also makes staff aware that building upgrades may be needed in order to serve their elderly
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patrons. Handicap parking, wheelchair ramps, automatic doors and railings may need to be

looked into. Knowing specific demographic data will allow libraries to effectively provide

resources and services to those in their community.

“Demographics comprise an array of socioeconomic information, including the

breakdown of a population by gender, age, ethnicity, income, employment status, home

ownership, and even internet access.” (French, 2014). This data is beneficial for library staff

when deciding which resources to provide to their community. Libraries must understand their

community in order to provide resources they need. As stated above, my community has a high

number of senior citizens and many live in our local nursing home. Without looking at my

community’s data I would never have known the number of seniors who made up my

community. Another example is the drop-out high school rates demographic data shows. If there

is a high drop-out rate, libraries can provide extra resources to students. Libraries can offer

testing materials and homework help, which will assist high school students. Tutoring and

meeting spaces are two benefits libraries could offer to their community. Providing resources to

meet a student’s educational needs should always be a priority. Being proactive for future

generations is something libraries should strive to do.

Libraries provide technology resources to the community. Demographic data will show

the percentage of those in the community who are unemployed or have low income. Many

unemployed and low-income families rely on libraires for computers and internet service.

“Library users who take advantage of libraries’ computers and internet connections are more

likely to be young, black, female, and lower income.” (Horrigan, 2019). Lower income families

depend on the library’s free internet service and computers. Not every student has internet access

at home, so libraries are vital to their educational learning. Knowing the demographics of a
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community gives libraries the knowledge of the makeup of their area. This will allow for more

targeted resources and programming that will be provided to the community.

Understanding the demographics of a community will give libraries confidence when

selecting resources for their community. Staff do not want to purchase materials that no one will

use. They want to offer resources that will be utilized by the community they serve. When a

library provides resources and programming that fits the wants and needs of a community, the

community will be able to benefit. A library is a great place for anyone to enjoy free resources

and programming. Libraries must make certain they are providing resources that meet their

community’s expectations. Community data should always be used with planning library

services. A community analysis should always be performed in order to understand the

demographics that makeup the community served.

Conducting a community analysis and preparing strategic plans are vital to developing

library services. Community demographics are essential to a library’s mission. A library’s

purpose is to provide resources to the community they serve. Demographic data allows for staff

to see different characteristics about the people in the area served by the library. Meeting the

wants, needs and desires of their own community is the main priority. By looking into the

demographics of the community, a library will be able to provide resources and programming

specifically targeted to those who live in the community. This data allows library staff to be

confident when providing needed services to the community. Demographic data will allow

libraries to identify their community’s needs and will show what services should be provided in

order for the people to be successful.

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References

French, C., Dr. (2014, November). Community Planning New Hampshire. Retrieved from
https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource004765_Rep6784.pdf

Horrigan, J. (2019, December 31). Library usage and engagement by Americans. Retrieved from
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-engagement/