Library Use

Library use contimues to climb. Sixty-eight percent of adults in the U.S. have public library cards, the greatest number since the ALA began collecting this data in 1990. (2008 Harris poll: http://tinyurl.com/9ewpcc)
Americans visit libraries more than 1.3 billion times and check out more than 2.1 billion items each year. Users turn to their libraries for free books, to borrow DVDs, to learn new computer skills, to conduct job searches and more.
Americans go to school, public and academic libraries 50 percent more often than they go to the movies.
A 2006 poll conducted by the American Library Association found that 92 percent of respondents expect libraries to be needed in the future, despite the increased availability of information on the Internet.
Nationally, the average user takes out more than seven books a year . . . but users turn to their libraries for more than books: to borrow DVDs, to learn new computer skills, to conduct job searches, and to participate in the activities of local and community organizations.
Nearly all Americans (96 percent) – even if they are not regular library visitors – agree that libraries play an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed. They support our public education and lifelong learning.

Quotable Facts:

There are now more public library buildings in the U.S. than there are McDonald’s – a total of 16,592, including branches.
Library use continues to rise – public library visits exceed 1.3 billion, and libraries circulate more items than Fed Ex ships – more than 2.1 billion books, CDs, DVDs and more.
Americans check out on average more than seven books a year. They spend about $31 for the public library – about the cost of one hardcover book.
Americans spend about two-and-a-half times as much on salty snacks as they do on public libraries.

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