Research & Links About Public Libraries
Articles and Studies
Related to Library Value (Return on Investment)
This web page is from the Research & Statistics section of the American Library
Association web site.
ALA
Library Fact Sheet Number 6: Public Library Use
This fact sheet contains information from recent studies that document public
library use by patrons as well as report the opinions that patrons have about
public libraries.
Library Statistics
Program: Public Libraries
A variety of data about public libraries is available from the National Center
for Educational Statistics (NCES).
Report on public library data by NCES new
The report includes national and state summary data on public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with an introduction, findings, and numerous tables. The report is based on data from the Public Libraries Survey for fiscal year 2004, and includes information on population of legal service area, service outlets, public service hours, library materials, total circulation, circulation of children's materials, reference transactions, library visits, children's program attendance, interlibrary loans, electronic services and information, full-time-equivalent staff, operating revenue and expenditures, and capital expenditures. The report includes several key findings: Nationwide, library visits to public libraries totaled 1.3 billion, or 4.7 library visits per capita. The average number of Internet terminals available for public use per stationary outlet was 10.3.
The Wisconsin Library User
(and Non-User): Outcomes of a Statewide Survey
A study prepared for the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium by Morrill Solutions
in 2003. This study was funded in part by the Wisconsin Library Association
Foundation.
Toward Equality of Access:
The Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital Divide[pdf]
This report was sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Wisconsin Public Library
Service: 2004 State Summary [pdf]
This article summarizes public library services, technology, staffing, collections,
demographics, and income and expenditures.
Wisconsin Public Library Statistics: 1996 - 2004
A compilation of statistics collected by the Department of Public Instruction,
Public Library Development Team.
Americans say public libraries are essential
A recent study sponsored by Americans for Libraries Council, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, reports that Americans prize public library service in the Internet Age and see libraries as well-equipped to meet 21st Century challenges in their communities. Read more about the study.