Press Kit 2006


CONTACTS

Larra Clark
Manager
Media Relations
312-280-5043
lclark@ala.org
Macey Morales
PR Coordinator
312-280-4393
mmorales@ala.org

SUPPORTING MATERIALS
ALA Fact Sheet
Number of Libraries in the United States Fact Sheet
Number Employeed by Libraries
The Nation's Largest Libraries: A Listing by Volumes Held
Quotable Facts About America's Libraries
KEY ISSUES
Library Funding
Librarian Recruitment
USA PATRIOT Act
Censorship

The State of America's Libraries

Libraries just aren't what they used to be. They're more - and better. That's a key theme in the first-ever "State of America's Libraries" report, released by the American Library Association (ALA).

The report details both the positive impact libraries and librarians have on the millions of people who use them and the various challenges libraries face.

Key Findings:

  • 92 percent of Americans believe libraries will still be needed in the future, even with all the information available on the Internet

  • Public library circulation has grown every year since 1990. Overall circulation of library materials increased 3.5 percent in 2003, the most recent year for which statistics are available. In the same time period, use of electronic resources increased about 13.4 percent.

  • Public libraries are the number one point of online access for people without Internet connections at home, school or work.

  • 89 percent of Americans reported being satisfied with their public libraries and fully 70 percent said they were either extremely or very satisfied—a 10 percentage point increase since 2002.

  • 63 percent of U.S. adults have public library cards.

  • 185 public library projects were completed in 2005—91 new buildings and 94 additions or renovations. One year after Seattle opened its new central library in 2004, daily visits to the library had doubled, and circulation was up 34 percent.

State of America's Libraries Report

 

Press Releases

New State of America's Libraries report documents positive, expanding role of libraries

In electronic age, Americans’ use of library services grows

ALA responds to national adult literacy study

ALA Council addresses "65 percent solution"

 

DOWNLOADS
The State of America’s Libraries [PDF]
State of America's Libraries Logo
National Library Symbol

STUDIES & STATISTICS
@your library 2006 Household Survey [PDF]
Librarian Retirement- What Can We Expect
Funding Issues in U.S. Public Libraries, Fiscal Years 2003-2006
Librarian Salaries 2005
National Assessment of Adult Literacy
WEB SITE LINKS
American Library Association
Issues & Advocacy
The Campaign for America's Libraries
Banned Books