The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) today published “Experience of library usage by adults in Northern Ireland: Findings from the 2011/12 Continuous Household Survey”.

The key findings of the survey were as follows:

· Just under three out of every ten (29%) of the population visit a library at least once a year.

· A higher proportion of females than males visit a public library at least once a year, 33% and 25% respectively.

· The most frequently cited reason for visiting a public library was “To borrow / return / renew books” (72%).

· The most frequently cited reason for not visiting a public library was “Buy or get bought all the books I need” (27%) followed closely by “No need to go”, “Use other sources of information” and “Not really interested” (25%, 24% and 24% respectively).

· Just over three-fifths (62%) of the population in general were satisfied with library provision in Northern Ireland, while 91% of those who visit a library at least once a year were satisfied with the provision.

The bulletin is available to view on the DCAL website.
The document is available for download here.

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-dcal/news-dcal-280313-experience-of-library-.htm