Despite widespread Internet use, most Americans – 92 percent – believe libraries still will be needed in the future, according to the American Library’s Assn.’s new report, “State of America’s Libraries.” Here are some other key findings from the study:

¢ 70 percent of Americans report being extremely or very satisfied with their public libraries, up 10 points from 2002.

¢ Nearly two-thirds of Americans report owning a library card, and most continue to visit the library in person at least once a year.

¢ Thirty-six percent of Americans put the benefits of libraries at the top of the list of public services, up six points from 2002.

¢ More than 8 in 10 Americans – 85 percent – agree that their public libraries deserve more funding, including 58 percent who strongly agree.

¢ Overall circulation of library materials increased 3.5 percent in 2003, the most recent year for which statistics are available. In the same time period, use of electronic resources increased about 13.4 percent.