78% of Russians consider libraries necessary even in the Internet age.

      The results showed that the majority of Russians still value libraries. Some 78% of respondents are confident that they remain in demand and cannot be replaced by the Internet. Among schoolchildren, almost two-thirds (60%) share this view.

      At the same time, adult respondents note that interest in reading among schoolchildren is declining: 73% believe that modern students read less than their peers did in the past. Respondents older than 36 are particularly critical — 81% of them are convinced of the drop in reading activity. Young people (18–35) are more optimistic: only 51% think so.

      The survey also showed that adults expect schoolchildren to read an average of 16 books per year outside the curriculum. Teenagers themselves are willing to read fewer — about 13 books. In practice, almost half of students aged 14–17 read no more than three works during the first two months of summer, and a third did not open a single book. Boys and rural students read less often than girls and their peers from large cities.

      Adults and students have different views on ways to increase interest in reading. The older generation favors author events and literary clubs, while teenagers prefer promoting reading via social media, electronic libraries, and discounts on books.

      The expert noted that the study’s results confirm a sustained interest in libraries: “Even in the age of digital technology, books and libraries remain in demand. It is important to maintain this interest, because reading helps form a well-rounded individual and preserve culture.”