A study shows the use of libraries is evolving with technology.
Wisconsin Policy Forum Researcher Ari Brown says the number of visitors is down about one percent over the past 18 years. He says libraries have become more of a “community hub” where people can use reliable public Wi-Fi and meet.
Brown says that reliable Wi-Fi is especially important at rural libraries because it’s something that can be difficult to get in communities.
The number of people participating in programs has doubled, since 2000.
Over the past two decades, libraries use spiked during the recession. Some people were using computers to look for jobs.
