Legal Research

Salty Snacks and Libraries

What do salty snacks have to do with libraries?

For the salty snacks side:

In 2003, "Nine out of ten Americans eat salty snacks, emphasizing the popularity of salty snacks in the American diet, according to survey firm Mintel's recent research. Nearly 25% of those who eat salty snacks do so in front of the TV or the computer. In addition, more than a quarter of salty snack consumers say they eat them as a meal replacement or between meals. According to Mintel's research, 93% of Americans with children in their households say that they buy salty snacks, compared to 87% of those without children under age 18 at home." In 2003 salt snacks were a $21.1 billion industry in the US alone.

"Fact: Americans spend more than twice as much on salty snacks as they do on public libraries." Check out the YouTube for National Libray Week 2008.

If you need a soundbite amongst your friends over the chip bowl this summer at the BBQ, when they challenge the relevance of libraries (and you know that can happen), this is a handy soundbite.

Here are some more 2009 library facts

There are now more public library buildings in the U.S. than there are McDonald?s ? a total of 16,592, including branches.

Library use continues to rise ? public library visits exceed 1.3 billion, and libraries circulate more items than FedEx ships ? more than 2.1 billion books, CDs, DVDs and more.

Americans check out on average more than seven books each a year. They spend about $31 for the public library ? about the cost of one hardcover book.

Americans spend about two-and-a-half times as much on salty snacks as they do on public libraries.

Fight back against shallow thinking. That's what libraries are for.

Stephen

Full post as published by Stephen's Lighthouse on July 24, 2009 (boomark / email).