> Twenty-five percent who went to the library learned about political or cultural organizations or leisure activities taking place in the local community. More than 20% went to the library with friends or colleagues to work together on a common assignment or a leisure activity. Seventeen percent used the Internet at the library to contact friends via e-mail, to chat, or to participate in discussion groups, etc. Sixteen percent used the library to learn more about local matters, social or political issues, etc., that they are involved in. Fourteen percent participated in organized meetings, such as author's nights, lectures, meetings with politicians, etc. Ten percent used the library as a place to meet family or friends before going together to the movies, into the city, to do shopping, etc. (p.19)
Libraries are not archives of books. They are community hubs. My local library has programs for seniors with early mental impairments to do puzzles with volunteers to slow the progression of their decline. Another has programs for street youth.
Where on Earth did you get that idea? Every library I've ever been to has offered all kinds of events geared to "socializing," from Group Crochet, to Book discussions, to AA. Not to mention how common it is for libraries to offer "teen spaces" where kids are free to hang out, work on homework together, etc.
> Twenty-five percent who went to the library learned about political or cultural organizations or leisure activities taking place in the local community. More than 20% went to the library with friends or colleagues to work together on a common assignment or a leisure activity. Seventeen percent used the Internet at the library to contact friends via e-mail, to chat, or to participate in discussion groups, etc. Sixteen percent used the library to learn more about local matters, social or political issues, etc., that they are involved in. Fourteen percent participated in organized meetings, such as author's nights, lectures, meetings with politicians, etc. Ten percent used the library as a place to meet family or friends before going together to the movies, into the city, to do shopping, etc. (p.19)
https://www.ala.org/tools/research/librariesmatter/use-publi...