How younger Americans view, and use, libraries today will largely determine the future role of U.S. public libraries. A key challenge might be getting younger people to value what libraries have to offer, new Pew research indicates. The current Knight News Challenge on Libraries might offer some new approaches to reinvigorate libraries as a hub for community enrichment and engagement.

In Younger Americans and Public Libraries, published Sept. 10, Pew noted an striking disconnect: 67% of Americans age 16-17 have a library card, and 59% report having visited a public library in the past year -- more than any other age group. Yet only 17% of older teens believe that the closure of their local public library would significantly impact them personally (compared to 32% of Americans over 30).

However, far more older teens are far more cognizant about the community value of libraries: 43% believe that the closure of their local public library would significantly affect their community. (Older demographics rate this risk higher, but this disconnect for 16-17-year-olds remains striking).

Overall, 91% of Americans told Pew that libraries are important to communities, and 76% find them personally important. But the community role of libraries is evolving. The latest Knight News Challenge is encouraging library innovation to enrich communities as they evolve.

In the Challenge Brief, Knight writes: "We view libraries as key for improving Americans' ability to know about and to be involved with what takes place around them. …While [library usage] habits are changing, those needs have not. We want to discover projects that help carry the values of libraries into the future."

(The deadline for News Challenge entries is Sept. 30. APPLY NOW.)

What do people want their local libraries to do? What community roles do community members envision for libraries? This is more a matter of expanding, not overhauling, library services.

A 2013 Pew report on library services in the digital age indicated strong support for traditional services, such as book lending, internet access, quiet study space, meeting spaces, programs and classes and assistance from librarians.

Other popular but not-yet-standard options for public libraries include greater coordination with local schools, free literacy programs, museum-style interactive learning experiences, digitization help for documents and photos, automation of services, expanded e-book offerings -- and even moving some print books and stacks out of public locations to free up more space for other activities.

Around the U.S., some public libraries are venturing into more experimental services. The ones that most Americans believe they would be "likely" or "most likely" to use include: "Ask a librarian" online research services, mobile apps to view/use library services (including GPS features to help locate library materials or facilities), "beta tester" programs where library patrons could sign up to try out new technology, and personalized accounts that offer Amazon-style recommendations.

So far, some Knight News Challenge entries suggest other innovative approaches. For instance:

• Books & Bytes.This is a proposal to leverage libraries as learning hubs for coding, web literacy and civic hacking -- especially in underserved non-urban areas. In many rural and exurban communities, increasing numbers of tech telecommuters might support libraries in this effort, while also digitally increasing local participation in civic life.

   

• News-Decoder.This proposal would create a global forum and news service for young adults keen to understand the world. "Libraries would be intermediaries between News-Decoder's correspondents and experts. …Libraries would physically host debates and discussions that are carried on News-Decoder's digital platform. They would provide expert moderators, participants, debaters and discussants who animate the community. They would play a critical role in disseminating information to Millennials about News-Decoder events."

   

• Free makerspaces. This proposal notes that some libraries are already experimenting with offering "makerspaces" that allow people to learn how to physically build things, from furniture to robots. But often they struggle to find funding, or simply with choosing among too many options. "Libraries in need would be able to leverage free packaged makerspace technology -- along with training on the components and how to build a sustainable model to further educate our youth to become problem solvers, makers, and innovators."

As of this writing, about 70 News Challenge: Libraries proposals have been submitted. More will be pouring in over the coming week, until the Sept. 30 deadline.

How you can help, even if you're not entering the Challenge. Through the month of October you can browse, rate and comment on News Challenge entries. Offer "applause" to your favorite ideas, and encourage others to review proposals.

Discuss in your community how libraries could help meet emerging community needs, and encourage people with good ideas to enter the News Challenge. Lee Rainie, director of internet, science and technology research at the Pew Research Center, recently outlined seven questions libraries must address as they consider future services and their role for their patrons and communities.

What has been working, or not, for library innovation in your community? And what would you like to see? Please comment below with your observations or ideas.