Circulation per Capita for Colorado Public Libraries Continues to Climb While Libraries Nationwide Stagnate, 1991-2001

The good news is that, over the past decade (1991-2001), Coloradans have steadily increased their borrowing of public library materials—books, audio books, videos, DVDs, CDs, etc.—while Americans generally maintained a lower level of reliance on public libraries with very little, if any, change.

  • In 1991, the average Coloradan borrowed 7.3 items, compared to 6.1 for the average American.
  • In 1996, 8.4 loans were made to the average Coloradan, compared to 6.5 to the average American.
  • In 2001, the Colorado average reached an all-time high of 10.4 items, compared to 6.5 for the average American. (Notably, between 1996 and 2001, there was no increase in per capita circulation for public libraries nationwide.)

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