Press Release: BISG and ALA Announce Research Partnership

(Chicago, IL: February 1, 2015) The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and the American Library Association (ALA) announced a partnership today to produce a major survey of public library patrons' use of digital content. This is the first time both organizations have engaged in a joint research survey. The project, Digital Content in Public Libraries, was announced this morning at the 2015 Mid-Winter Meeting of the American Library Association (ALA) in Chicago.

"We are delighted to partner with ALA on this study," said BISG Executive Director Len Vlahos. "With BISG's research expertise and ALA's reach into the library community, this survey will provide the publishing industry and library administrators alike with invaluable insight into how readers interact with e-books in a library environment."

Keith Fiels, Executive Director of ALA, said, "ALA is particularly pleased to work with BISG on this project. This will be the first study to establish a benchmark - and usage trends - related to the digital reading experience of library patrons."

The survey seeks to understand the behavior of library patrons, including their use of digital resources and other services offered by public libraries. It will examine the impact of digital consumption behaviors, including the adoption of new business models, on library usage across America. In a comprehensive survey, library patrons will be asked about preferred device usage, preferences for print or digital formats, collection assessment, and other issues that affect the use and distribution of published content in public libraries.

The questions are being developed jointly by BISG and ALA. The survey will be fielded by the research firm Nielsen, with editorial and analysis provided by Jim Milliot of Publishers Weekly.

Results from the survey will be first announced at the American Library Association's Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA, June 25-30, 2015, and a printed report available for purchase will be published on September 8, 2015, which coincides with National Library Card Sign-Up Month.