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Introduction
The indicators gathered here further attempt to gauge the strength of the humanities
in the United States by examining the extent to which Americans engage in humanistic
activities in their daily lives. Beginning with a consideration of such foundational
skills as literacy and multilingualism, the indicators describe such practices as
the reading of literature and the pursuit of humanistic interests through continuing
education. They also review the condition and use of public libraries, which are
the main point of contact with the humanities for many Americans and have also come
to serve as the primary means of public access to the Internet.
The influence of the Internet on public participation in the humanities remains
to be seen, as researchers look for systematic ways to measure how people engage
in humanistic activities online. Such data as do exist regarding Americans’ use
of the Internet to explore literature and art will be developed for presentation
in any subsequent edition of the Humanities Indicators. In the meantime, the indicators
here continue with the topic of public participation in the humanities by tracking
trends in attendance at institutions such as art museums and historic sites, as
well as looking at the role of state humanities council programs in supporting the
humanities. Public perception of the place of the humanities in daily life is more
difficult to assess. Nonetheless, the final section does attempt to shed some light
on Americans’ attitudes toward such humanistic forms of expression as literature
and art and their influence on society.
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