U.S. residents might not be dumbing down that quickly after all. A new Gallup Poll reveals U.S. residents when to the library more often than they went to movie theaters in 2019.
The poll, released Tuesday, reveals the average adult made 10.5 trips to a library last year, which is about twice as many times as the average person went to the movies. Libraries also beat out concerts, stage productions and parks, which Americans visited an average of four times. People went to museums and casinos 2.5 times during 2019, with amusement parks and zoos tying for dead last, according to Gallup.
“Despite the proliferation of digital-based activities over the past two decades — including digital books, podcasts, streaming entertainment services and advanced gaming — libraries have endured as a place Americans visit nearly monthly on average,” the poll reads. “Whether they offer services like free Wi-Fi, movie rentals, or activities for children, libraries are most utilized by young adults, women and residents of low-income households.”
What do libraries have that can’t be found on the Internet? How often do you go to the library?