More reasons why libraries and librarians will continue to play a critical role as we confront the rising tide of communications’ disconnect:

“We may sleep with our smartphones and spend multiple hours a day staring at device screens, but almost of half of American adults say they prefer in-person communication, per a poll by SurveyMonkey for “Axios on HBO.”

• Why it matters, from Axios managing editor Kim Hart: The rapid rise of social media and smartphones led some experts to worry that digital communication would replace face-to-face interaction, potentially leading to weaker relationships and less productivity.
• The results show that adults still value the human connection of an in-person conversation over text messages by a 21-point margin.

Coming distractions: The proportion of teens who prefer in-person interaction has plummeted from 49% in 2012 to 32% today. Texting is now the favorite mode of communication, per a survey of 13- to 17-year-olds by Common Sense Media.

• 54% of teens agree that using social media often distracts them when they are with people, and 44% say they get frustrated when their friends are using their phones while hanging out.
• Yet 55% say they hardly ever or never put their devices away when hanging out with friends…”