Released this month, highlights from the report include:
* The number of visits to public libraries in the United States increased 61 percent between 1994 and 2004…there were nearly two billion visits to U.S. libraries in fiscal year 2004.
* Circulation at public libraries in the U.S. rose by 28 percent during the decade, partly driven by significant growth in circulation of children’s materials, which grew by 44 percent.
* Attendance in library programs for children was also up 42 percent for this same period.
The complete report and press release is available on the ALA website:
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/march2007/stateoflibraries.htm.
~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us