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In my last post I highlighted studies about teachers and students by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Now I want to take a moment to talk about the Project in general. In their own words, "the Project produces reports exploring the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.

As a librarian, I find that nearly all the Project's reports on Internet use help me understand my community. What percentage of adults in the U.S. have a smartphone? How many adults have used a mobile device to access a library's web site? for what purposes? How do people use the Internet and mobile apps for information about health issues and caregiving? How do perceptions of online courses differ between college presidents and the general public?

Many Project reports are covered by the media, but if you want to stay informed in a more systematic fashion, you can sign up for email alerts. (As a side note, the  Pew Internet and American Life Project has the best email signup tool I've ever used. Lots of flexibility, super easy to use.)

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What percentage of adults in the U.S. have a smartphone?  56%
Smartphone Ownership 2013

How many adults have used a mobile device to access a library's web site? 13%
Mobile Connections to Libraries

How do people use the Internet and apps for information about health issues and caregiving?
Health Reports

How do perceptions of online courses differ between college presidents and the general public?
"Just three-in-ten American adults (29%) say a course taken online provides an equal educational value to one taken in a classroom. By contrast, about half of college presidents (51%) say online courses provide the same value."
College Presidents