Tech Talk: Desktop Computer Usage Down at Public Libraries, Digital Access Still Important

In an ever-increasing technology-centric society, it’s difficult to imagine a place where computer usage is decreasing.

But there is at least one place: the public library.

Once upon a time, libraries couldn’t get enough desktop computers to meet the demand for people who either didn’t have computers of their own or internet access at home or both.

From Fort Wayne to Evansville, the clickety clack of fingers tapping on keyboards in public libraries was more common – and noticeable – than the sound of flipping pages of books, magazines and newspapers. It was a national trend too. Library-goers used the computers for research, schoolwork, resume building, job hunting as well as entertainment. In the 2000s and much of the 2010s, the computers were often so full that some libraries instituted time limits to make sure all who wanted to use library computers could have access.

In a recent analysis of public library data from across the country, Government Technology found that trend is reversing as use of public computers in libraries has been on a steady decline for the last decade, a drop exacerbated by COVID-19 and library-mandated pandemic protocols.

While most libraries are back open at full operating hours, the use of public computers inside many branches hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Libraries have done their best to keep their public computers sanitary, but the fear of germs has certainly steered some people away from such public infrastructure. But there’s more to this trend.

The decreasing price of laptops means more people own their own computers. Schools too are issuing more laptops to their students, which has helped reduce the need for public access points such as the library.

The power of the smart phone, which is more powerful than a desktop computer of a decade ago, has allowed former library computer users to do much of what they want right out of the palm of their hands. And a growing number of libraries offer wireless printers, which can be accessed through a smartphone.

The growth of computers for patrons in public libraries happened at lightning speed. Consider, in 1996, just one-quarter of libraries had public computers. By 2005, the American Library Association (ALA) reported that free computer and Internet access existed in 98.9 percent of libraries, a 400% increase over a decade. According to the ALA, at that time 85% of libraries were struggling to keep up with demand for public computer use, and visitor attendance numbers skyrocketed.

Here are a few case studies to show the swing in that trend. Data from the Connecticut public library system shows public computer demand in the state slowly decreased from a high of nearly six million public computer sessions in 2006 to less than one million in 2022.

Data from the Chicago Public Library highlights a decline in public computer use around the same time Wi-Fi became accessible throughout the city’s branches. Although the number of visitors, Wi-Fi sessions and public computer use in Chicago have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, Wi-Fi use has rebounded faster than public computer sessions.

In Oregon, some library systems have significantly slashed the number of public computers located inside their branches. From 2015 to 2022, libraries in Oregon are reporting a 35% decrease in the number of computers available for public use, a reduction that was determined by demand.

In Indiana, those trends are mirrored.

In Indianapolis, the number of users of the library system’s public computers which are connected to the Internet declined from 866,297 in 2019 to 393,194 in 2022. In Allen County, that same number dropped from more than 470,000 in 2016 to 302,000 in 2019 to just more than 184,000 in 2022. Vanderburgh County’s library system saw its numbers drop from 226,469 in 2016 to 137,361 in 2019 to 77,204 in 2022.

The number of library patrons connecting to the library system’s Wi-Fi access has been more stable in recent years. In Indianapolis, for instance, that number was 4.4 million in 2019. After a sharp fall when the libraries weren’t fully open during the pandemic, that number rebounded to 3.9 million in 2022.

If you want to dig into the numbers for library systems across the state, you can look at the Indiana State Library database. After clicking on the year you want to see, go to Table 8 for computer and other usage numbers.

The usage declines don’t mean libraries’ digital assets are no longer in demand, but there’s definitely been a shift. It’s still not totally clear what impact the shift will have. Most library officials agree the number of patrons connecting to the library systems’ Wi-Fi will continue to rebound.

Libraries’ move to the digital realm also has decreased the need for in-library desktop computers – and even a trip to the library itself. Books, audio and movies can now be borrowed digitally from the comfort of home. A growing number of libraries across Indiana and the nation in recent months and years report checking out more e-books than actual books.

Realizing Wi-Fi access is important to its patrons, libraries have worked hard in recent years to improve its broadband connectivity. Many libraries have Wi-Fi that is so good, patrons can – and many do – access it from the parking lot.

Many branches allow their free Wi-Fi to be accessed not just from the parking lot, but rentable hot spots and even through bookmobiles that travel to neighborhoods.

All this is happening at the same time some libraries are removing desktop computers that were available to the public simply due to lack of demand. Some of those spaces are now being used for public access power stations and USB charging ports, which a growing number of patrons are demanding.

According to the ALA, the nature of public computer and Internet access use has changed significantly for libraries across the nation, as almost one-third now offer Internet hot spots for checkout. More than half have laptops available for checkout. Many of these factors have decreased the demand for those once crowded bank of desktop computers.

Alan Inouye, associate executive director of public policy for the ALA, says the physical library buildings still provide an essential resource for patrons. Visitors, he says, are eager to reserve or even rent library workspaces that have a power outlet, Wi-Fi and a light to do everything from school homework to running a small business.

And as libraries continue to adjust to meet the shifting demands of their communities, Inouye believes libraries might play an important role in navigating the next big shift in technology: artificial intelligence (AI).

“Libraries could be a good place in the community to have a little laboratory (focused on AI) and have people come in who can explain it, demonstrate it and provide lectures to the public,” he emphasizes. “The library is – and will remain – a place to help people become more aware and educated.”