2006 Public Libraries Survey Report Released by IMLS
From IMLS...
This is the first PLS report released since IMLS was given responsibility for the annual survey, which includes information on population of service areas, service outlets, library collections and services, library staff, and operating revenue and expenditures. More than 9,000 libraries were surveyed in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. The survey had a 97.5 percent response rate.
"The report shows the tremendous value that our public libraries have in the United States," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, IMLS Director. "The public library is an essential community resource particularly in difficult economic times. This survey provides solid data that helps to inform policy and practice decisions at the community, state and national levels."
The report includes a number of key findings:
* 2.1 billion transactions were made between public libraries and their users in FY 2006; this total includes books, other printed materials and audio/visual resources. This translates to an average of 7.3 transactions for every individual living in a library service area. (97 percent of Americans live in a library service area.)
* 1.4 billion visits to public libraries were made in FY 2006; that's nearly 5 visits for every individual who resides in a library service area.
* Children are among the heaviest users of public library resources; children's materials accounted for 35 percent of all circulation transactions in FY 2006, and attendance at library-based children's programs was 57.8 million.
* Public libraries had 807.2 million print materials, 42.6 million audio materials, and 43.9 million video materials in their collections in FY 2006.
* Public libraries play an important role in providing internet access to communities. Nationwide, there were 334 million uses of public-use internet terminals in FY 2006.
The report is available in PDF format: http://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/pls/index.asp
~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us
