Audiobooks, E-books, and Online Reading: Implications for Libraries

1. Audiobooks, E-books, and Online Reading: Implications for Libraries Jessica E. Moyer, M.S., C.A.S. Doctoral Candidate, Literacy Education University of Minnesota Twin-Cities jessicaemilymoyer.pbworks.com/ALA2009Unconference

4. Downloadable audio accounts for 17% of all audiobook sales, up from 6% in 2005 • Over 52% of users get their audiobooks from a library - the #1 source for listeners • The fastest growing listening groups are ages 13 to 17 and 18 to 24 • 28% of Americans have listened to an audiobook, up from 25% in 2007 • Over 92% of listeners have also read a printed book in the last year • Libraries are the third choice for recommendations for new listens - less than 30% of listeners use librarians for suggestions

5. 59% of teens regularly participate in online creation activities • 74% of teens have home computers with internet access (as of 2005). Use has increased with access. • Teens have averaged 43 minutes per day of print reading for many years • Teens have 5-6 hours per day for all media • Heavy use of one media predicts heavy use of others • 62% ages 5-17 prefer to read books printed on paper rather than on a computer or handheld. • Low frequency readers are far more likely to say reading online is better than reading a book.

6. Nearly 2/3 of tweens and teens have extended the reading experience online, including connecting with other readers • Children who extend the reading experience online value reading, enjoy reading, and read books for fun far more than children who do not • Boys are more likely to say the Internet is better when they want to read for fun. Girls have a stronger preference for book reading. • Older children are more likely to go online daily than read books for fun daily. • Daily internet use grows rapidly into adolescence where it reaches nearly 100% • 40% of teens have read a digital book in the past year