Survey finds increase in e-reading, drop in paper

NEW YORK (AP) — The tastes of the reading public are turning digital.

A Pew Internet Research Center survey released Thursday found that the percentage of Americans aged 16 and older who read an e-book grew from 16 percent in 2011 to 23 percent this year. Readers of traditional books dropped from 72 percent to 67 percent. Overall, those reading books of any kind dropped from 78 percent to 75 percent, a shift Pew called statistically insignificant.

Those owning an e-book device or tablet jumped from 18 percent to 33 percent, with much of that increase coming from last year’s holiday season, when millions received Kindles, Nooks and other e-readers as gifts.

Awareness that libraries offer digital texts grew from 24 percent to 31 percent.

The telephone survey of 2,252 people aged 16 and older was conducted from Oct. 15 to Nov. 10. It has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Fire Marshall investigating Christmas night fire near Sargeant

News

Survey on isolation: Nearly half of Minnesotans report feeling left out at times

Mower County

DNR investigating recent waterfowl deaths across southern Minnesota

Mower County

A new reason to run: After diagnosis, Austin grad is looking to raise funds to fight MS

Mower County

SWCD board chair to serve as VP for state group

Mower County

Minnesota DNR: Enjoy the ice over the holidays, but check it often

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 9-16

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

G. Meadow man sentenced for drug charges, challenges pre-investigation in 2nd case

Mower County

Eastbound I-90 lane, ramps reopen in Austin as Cedar River bridge completed

News

A Place for Romantics: New downtown bookstore for romance is a dream for its owner

Agriculture

Voigts honored for conservation farming practices

Business

Austin realtor honored with Realtor Emeritus Award

Agriculture

Grant available to aid in weather resilience

Mower County

In Your Community: Asian Student Union donate 30 blankets to Mayo Clinic

Mower County

In Your Community: Austin Youth Hockey Peewee B shops for family

Brownsdale

In Your Community: Brownsdale Study Club

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Minnesota House tie in peril after judge rules DFL lawmaker can’t be sworn in

News

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

News

Minnesota deputies saw 250 animals suffering at purported rescue. Weeks later, only 70 were left

News

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Education

Riverland Community College celebrates remarkable enrollment growth