¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ

ALA Library Fact Sheet 6

The ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ is often asked to answer questions about public libraries: How are they used, who is using them, and what do people think of them? This ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Library Fact Sheet is designed to help answer these questions. It contains information from recent studies that document public library use and opinions held by individuals about public libraries.

State of America's Libraries: A Report from the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ | Pew Internet Libraries Reports | Usage Reported By Libraries - Public Library Survey (PLS) federal report | Library Card Holders | Digital Inclusion Survey | Usage Reported By Households | Usage Reported By Racial/Ethnic Group | Library Use Studies - User-specific | Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) | Notable Previous Reports

State of America's Libraries: A Report from the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ

The was released, as usual, during National Library Week. You can also access the . As detailed in our April 12, 2015 news item, . Key trends detailed in the 2015 State of America's Libraries Report:

• Academic, public and school libraries are experiencing a shift in how they are perceived by their communities and society. No longer just places for books, libraries of all types are viewed as anchors, centers for academic life and research and cherished spaces.

• From offering free technology workshops, small business centers and 24/7 virtual access to e-Books and digital materials, libraries are transforming communities, schools and campuses.

• The lack of diverse books for young readers continues to fuel concern. Over the past 12 months the library community has fostered conversations and fueled a groundswell toward activism to address the lack of diversity reflected in children’s literature—both in content and among writers and illustrators.

• A current analysis of book challenges recorded by ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) from 2001 – 2013, shows that attempts to remove books by authors of color and books with themes about issues concerning communities of color are disproportionately challenged and banned. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that a book or other material be restricted or removed because of its content or appropriateness.

• Digital literacy continues to grow as an important library service. Research shows that families are increasing their access to digital media, but they lack the knowledge to use it effectively in a way that enables learning.

• Makerspaces are trending and provide evidence that libraries are continuing to evolve beyond the traditional focus on collections.

• Many federal government policy and regulatory issues are of importance to libraries and the people who use them. Policies related to personal privacy, library funding, workforce development, and copyright law are a few of the issues of interest to the library community.

Findings of the appeared in our April 14, 2014 news item, . Also access the .

Findings of the appeared in our April 16, 2013 news item, . Also access the .

Findings of the appeared in our April 9, 2012 news item, . Also access the .

Findings of the appeared in our April 11, 2011 news item, . Also access the first-ever .

Findings of the appeared in our April 12, 2010 news item, .

Findings of the appeared in our April 13, 2009 news item, .

Findings of the appeared in our April 14, 2008 news item, .

Findings of the appeared in our April 16, 2007 news item, .

Findings of the were reported in our April 4, 2006 news item, .

Pew Internet Libraries Reports

released on September 15, 2015, . In the news item dated the same day, , Sari Feldman's statements included:

Libraries are not just about what we have for people, but what we do for and with people. Today's survey found that three-quarters of the public say libraries have been effective at helping people learn how to use new technologies. This is buttressed by the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ's , which finds that virtually all libraries provide free public access to computers and the Internet, wi-fi, technology training and robust digital content that supports education, employment, e-government access and more.

In 2014, Pew reports included , while 2013 ended with the release of the report noted in the 2014 State of America's Libraries above, .

The accompanying project blog, , which began in , is updated and maintained by the staff of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, one of seven projects that make up the Pew Research Center, which has routinely studied the relationship between libraries and online information gathering for the last several years, reporting their findings in , supplemented with . The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; by reporting news and analyzing news coverage; and by holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues.

Usage Reported By Libraries - Public Library Survey (PLS) federal report

The most current federal statistics report on public libraries is . The Public Library Survey (PLS) reports are presently conducted by the and give the most recent usage statistics as reported by libraries, in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Explained in the press release January 26, 2015, and in the :

• There were 1.5 billion in-person visits to public libraries across the United States, similar to FY 2011 levels. This was a 10-year increase of 20.7 percent.

• The public invested over $11.5 billion in revenue to public libraries. This was similar to FY 2011 levels, after adjusting for inflation. Revenue has declined after a peak in FY 2009, but is up 7.2 percent over 10 years.

• More than 92.6 million people attended the 4.0 million programs at public libraries. Attendance showed a 1-year increase of 5.2 percent and a 10-year increase of 54.4 percent.

• Over 2.2 billion materials were circulated in public libraries, similar to FY 2011, and a 10-year increase of 28.0 percent.

• There were 271,146 public access computers in public libraries, representing a 1-year increase of 3.7 percent.

• There were 340.5 million use sessions of public access computers. Although this has declined in recent years, this was similar to FY 2011 levels. This finding is discussed in light of the increase of personal digital devices, such as smartphones.

Culled from the National Level Data and Trends section of :

• Having e-books as part of a public library’s collection was related to higher rates of both visitation and circulation.

• In addition to books, public libraries also include audio and video materials in their collections, in both physical and digital/downloadable formats.

• Public libraries are committed to providing opportunities for learning experiences that educate and inspire people throughout their lifetime. Programs vary from digital learning and job training for adults, maker spaces for young adults, and summer reading programs and story time for children.

• A core function of public libraries is to facilitate open access to information and ideas. In the 21st century, public libraries accomplish this by providing public access to computers and the Internet, serving as technology access points for communities.

The of the survey's 9,082 respondent libraries reported :

See previous editions of the for past numbers.

Also see the IMLS press release dated February 19, 2015, :

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announces the launch of . This new resource puts IMLS data—comprising agency data such as grants administration and data about museums, libraries, and related organizations—at the fingertips of researchers, developers, and interested members of the public who want to dig deeper.

Library Card Holders

As mentioned above, the most current federal statistics report on public libraries is , conducted by the , which gives the most recent usage statistics as reported by libraries, with numbers from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

There were 170,593,000 registered borrowers, according to Table 8. Number of public library services and library services per capita, by type of service and state: Fiscal year 2012, of the of the Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2012.

Digital Inclusion Survey

Funded by the and managed by the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ and the at the University of Maryland, the Digital Inclusion Study provides national- and state-level data. The and ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ are partners in the research effort.

For more information on the -- including direct links to the report's Infographics; several issue briefs regarding public libraries and aspects of digital inclusion; the state-level data; and the interactive national map -- please visit .

See the press release dated October 14, 2015, , the announcement of the release of the , which caps two decades of research on public libraries and the internet (see Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) below) and the expanded roles libraries are playing in their communities. The report's states:

Over this time, we have seen libraries in a constant evolution in tandem with advances in technology. Just as libraries offered word processing software before personal computers were commonplace in homes and offered many people their first chance to try the Internet, public libraries now enable many patrons to explore e-readers, tablets and maker spaces.

Many challenges remain, such as the scant capacity faced by many small and rural libraries and a persistent digital divide that continues to strongly impact Americans with the lowest incomes. Public libraries, whose services have innovatively adapted to the shifting economic and social landscape of the past two decades, are well positioned to act as a national network supporting communities in an age of digital disruption.

The report's findings include:

• Virtually all libraries (98 percent) offer free public Wi-Fi access;

• 95 percent of libraries offer summer reading programs to forestall the “summer slide” in reading achievement experienced when learning takes a holiday between school terms;

• Close to 90 percent of libraries offer basic digital literacy training, and a significant majority support training related to new technology devices (62 percent), safe online practices (57 percent) and social media use (56 percent);

• 76 percent of libraries assist patrons in using online government programs and services;

• The vast majority of libraries provide programs that support people in applying for jobs (73 percent), access and using online job opportunity resources (68 percent) and using online business information resources (48 percent);

• A significant majority of libraries host social connection events for adults (61 percent) and teens (60 percent) such as book discussion groups or gaming programs;

• 45 percent of libraries provide early-learning technologies for pre-K children; and

• More than one-third of all libraries provide literacy, GED prep, STEAM and afterschool programs.

Usage Reported By Households

The newest numbers sourced from households come from a . As noted in the Methodology section of the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ January 2011 Harris Poll Quorum Results, for this poll created for the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ and presented by Harris Interactive: "This Harris Poll National Quorum was conducted by telephone within the United States between January 19 and 23, 2011 among 1,012 adults aged 18 or older. Results were weighted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region, number of adults, and number of voice/telephone lines in the household where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population." As previously noted, the Great Recession may have come to an end, but hard-pressed Americans continue to turn to their local libraries for help in finding a job or launching their own business:

• Sixty-five percent of those polled said they had visited the library in the past year; women are significantly more likely than men (72 percent vs. 58 percent) to fall into this category, especially working women, working mothers and women aged 18-54.

• Overall, 58 percent of those surveyed said they had a library card, and the largest group was, again, women, especially working women and working mothers. College graduates and those with a household income of more than $100,000 were also well represented among card holders, according to the survey.

• Thirty-one percent of adults rank the library at the top of their list of tax-supported services.

Previous Household Surveys, conducted in conjunction with KRC Research and Harris Interactive, for the years 2002 and then 2006 through 2010, on public library usage and attitudes, can be found at .

Federal public library usage statistics from households were last collected in the October 2002 Current Population Survey Library Supplement, in , which was released in January 2007 via the . The survey was conducted October 13-19, 2002. The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of households conducted by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data are collected from a sample of 50,000 to 60,000 households through personal and telephone interviews.

Usage Reported By Racial/Ethnic Group

The released in March 2015 the report. An excerpt from the Overview:

Seven-in-ten (72%) Latinos ages 16 and older say they have visited a public library or bookmobile in person at one point or another in their lives, the survey shows, a share below that of whites (83%) and blacks (80%). But this finding masks a large difference among Latinos. Fully 83% of U.S.-born Latinos say they have visited a public library at some point in their lives—a share similar to that of whites and blacks. However, among immigrant Latinos, a smaller share—60%—say they have visited a public library or bookmobile in person...

This gap in use between foreign-born Hispanics and U.S.-born Hispanics, whites and blacks may reflect foreign-born Hispanics’ views of the relative ease of using public libraries. According to the survey, just one-third of immigrant Hispanics say they would find it “very easy” to visit a public library in person if they wanted to do so. By comparison, 60% of U.S.-born Hispanics, 67% of whites and 59% of blacks say it would be very easy to visit a public library in person.

The found that:

• Among households with children under 18, a larger percentage of Black and Asian households (25 percent and 26 percent respectively) use a public library in the past month for a school assignment than did white or Hispanic households (22 percent and 20 percent respectively)

• A smaller proportion of white, non-Hispanic households (8 percent) than Black, non- Hispanic households (13 percent), Hispanic households (12 percent), Asian/Pacific Islander households (11 percent) or mixed households (12 percent) used a public library in the past month to use a computer or the Internet (table 22).

NOTE: This greater use of computers at public libraries by minorities than by whites may reflect the greater availability of computers in White and Asian households. A recent NCES study reported that "[Among American school children,] White and Asians are more likely to use computers at home than are Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians." (DeBell, M., and Chapman, C. [2006]. . U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.)

Unpublished statistics concerning library use by persons of different racial/ethnic groups based on data from the survey described above were included in "Using Public Libraries: What Makes a Difference?" in the November 1997 issue of American Libraries. The following table is taken from that article.

Library Use Studies - User-specific

Non-English Speakers

- Study provides new information about library services and programs developed for non-English speakers, including effectiveness of services, barriers to library use, most frequently used services and most success library programs by language served.

Youth/Children and Young Adults

- Conducted online by Harris Interactive within the United States between June 13 and 21, 2007, among 1,262 youth, aged 8 - 18, for the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ; see the press release dated July 24, 2007, , for details.

Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS)

The Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) was the first to build on , the study begun in 1994 by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure. A project overview can be found via the <> shortcut address. ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ's maintains the pages with , with each year's and .

Findings of the most recent report in this series, -- released in late June 2012, just prior to the 2012 ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Annual Conference -- were summarized in our June 21, 2012 news item, , stating that more Americans than ever turn to their libraries for access to essential technology services, which underscores the competing concerns that face America's libraries: cumulative budget cuts that threaten access to libraries and services, increasing demand for technology training and the chronic presence of the digital divide. Reflecting stubborn unemployment statistics, for the third consecutive year, libraries report services for job seekers as the most important public Internet service. More than 92 percent of libraries nationwide provide access to job databases and other job resources, while 76 percent help users complete online job applications. Increasingly, as government agencies eliminate print forms and close satellite offices, communities turn to their public libraries for access to e-government resources, and assistance with requests such as filling out forms for Social Security and Medicare, filing court petitions and downloading W-2 forms. More than 96 percent of libraries report providing assistance with e-government services, an increase of nearly 16 percent from the previous year. Access the full .

Findings of the were summarized in our June 21, 2011 news item, , stating that U.S. public libraries continue to expand as technology centers for communities, providing essential resources for job-seekers and support for critical e-government services. Not surprisingly, libraries report again that services for job-seekers rate as the most important public Internet service provided to the community. Yet, 56 percent of libraries report they do not have enough staff to effectively assist job-seekers. In addition, as the demand for e-books increases, libraries are the starting place for free downloads. However, budget cuts have forced libraries across the country to scale back drastically on operating hours and access to services, just when resources are most needed. While 70 percent of libraries report increased use of public computers, and more than half of libraries report an increase in use of electronic resources, 55 percent of urban libraries report operating budget decreases during the current fiscal year, followed by suburban (36 percent) and rural (26 percent) libraries. At the same time, 16 percent of libraries report decreased operating hours, a jump from 4.5 percent just two years ago. For the third year, the greatest impact was experienced by those living in urban communities; nearly 32 percent of urban libraries report reduction of open hours, up from 23.7 percent last year. Access the full .

Findings of the were summarized in our June 21, 2010 news item, , stating that libraries across the country have reported an increase in public use of online services, particularly to support e-government and job seeking transactions, and have made some gains in adding public computers and improving Internet connections available to patrons. However, snowballing funding cuts at state and local levels are forcing thousands of libraries to literally lock away access to these resources as they reduce operating hours. From unemployment benefits to state tax forms, more government information and services are moving online, often without a print alternative. Responding to growing demand from people for assistance using these new forms of government services, nearly 79 percent of libraries (up from 54 percent one year ago) provide assistance to patrons applying or accessing government services. Eighty-eight percent of libraries provide free access to job databases and other job services, and 67 percent report library staff helped patrons complete online job applications. Libraries also provide access to civil service exam materials (75 percent) and software to help patrons create resumes and other employment materials (69 percent). Nationally, 62% of unemployed people used their public library last year. Nearly 15 percent of libraries (or roughly 2,400 locations) report reduced operating hours, with urban libraries leading the trend with nearly one-quarter reporting fewer hours in 2009. More than half (55 percent) of urban libraries report funding cuts between FY2009 and FY2010. Access the .

Findings of the appear in the September 15, 2009 news item, . Access the , which introduced a modernized take on the National Library Symbol by Illinois graphic designer Brian Benson.

Findings of the appear in the September 2, 2008 news item, .

Findings of the appear in our September 12, 2007 news item, . Also see the May 29, 2007 news item, .

Notable Previous Reports

Just before the 2011 ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Annual Conference came the June 17, 2011 press release out of the federal library agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in Washington DC, :

Public libraries have become essential points of access to the Internet and computers in local communities, with nearly every library in the country offering public internet access. Yet, individual library practices can have significant affect on the quality and character of this public service. , offers an analysis of the service in four public library systems and makes recommendations for strategies that help to sustain and improve public access service. The report was funded through a partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services and was produced by the University of Washington Information School.

Libraries play a vital role in providing services that are necessary in everyday life. The recommendations from this study provide a foundation to discuss the wide range of internal and external policy issues that affect the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the types of library resources and environments most patrons encounter in U.S. public libraries.

"This study identifies important best practices that can help libraries improve patron experience and contribute to positive learning outcomes," said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. "This report will be very useful for educating the public and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and funders as they consider future efforts in this area."

This second report is a companion volume to the first report in the U.S. IMPACT Study, .

In 2010, news stories nationwide pointed to the increased library use due to - as a 2002 report from ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ pointed out it would:

by Dr. Mary Jo Lynch (former Director of the Office for Research and Statistics), August 2002 American Libraries, pp. 62-63

: Report prepared for the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ by The Library Research Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, April 18, 2002

However, a by-product of a troubled economy can be dangerous budget cuts that lessen library services to a community - leaving fewer staff and/or hours of operation - or that eliminate library services from the community altogether. And just when these services are needed most.

As reported in our January 12, 2010 news item announcing by ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ's Office for Research and Statistics, :

At every turn, news reports and research indicate fairly dramatic changes in U.S. library funding, services and staffing – most occurring in the last 18 months. According to a new report prepared by the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ (¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ), libraries of all types are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn while managing sky-high use.

Prior to National Library Week in 2010 came the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation press release, dated March 25, 2010, , announcing:

Nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older – roughly 77 million people – used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet in the past year, according to a national report released today. In 2009, as the nation struggled through a recession, people relied on library technology to find work, apply for college, secure government benefits, learn about critical medical treatments, and connect with their communities.

The report, , is based on the first, large-scale study of who uses public computers and Internet access in public libraries, the ways library patrons use this free technology service, why they use it, and how it affects their lives. It was conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In September 2008, a reported that 68 percent of Americans have a library card, while 76 percent of Americans visited their local library in the past year. In that same time period, 41 percent of Americans visited the web site of their local library. For full details, see our September 23, 2008 news item, .

Most Recent Resources on Library Use, Services, and Perception

NOTE: Previous versions of this fact sheet can be accessed via the using the original URL <>.

Last updated: October 2015

For more information on this page, contact the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Library Reference Desk by telephone: 800-545-2433, extension 2153; fax: 312-280-3255; e-mail: library@ala.org; or regular mail: ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Library, ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795.