Reading room
Seven articles that answer common questions about US public libraries with the FY 2024 survey figures: how often people visit, what libraries spend and where the money comes from, how use has changed since 2019, overdue fines, digital lending and how to compare one library with others.
- How often do Americans visit their public library?
Visits per resident by size class and state, and the largest systems at each end.
- How much do public libraries spend per resident?
A full state ranking, size-class medians and spending per visit.
- Where does public library money come from?
Local, state, federal and other revenue, state by state.
- Have public library visits recovered since 2019?
FY 2024 against FY 2019 by size class, state and system.
- How many public libraries still charge overdue fines?
The fine-free share for every state and size class.
- What share of library checkouts are digital?
Electronic loans against physical checkouts, by size class.
- How to compare your library with similar-size systems
Rates, size classes, percentiles and named peers, step by step.