State-by-State Library Statistics
Posted by: Mary Burkey
From audio availability to reductions in hours – the numbers are in the Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2009-2010 report findings, published as a digital supplement to American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library Association. The study looks at how “Americans are turning to their libraries not only for free access to books, CDs and DVDs, but also for a lifeline to technology training and online resources for employment, continuing education and e-government.” Whether you read the entire 104-page digital magazine, print out the Executive Summary, or download the state-by-state statistics, you’ll find conformation of the critical role libraries play in American society. Can’t get enough of numbers & stats? Head over to ALA’s Library Statistics web site for much more – plus a great batch of quotable facts about public & school libraries from ALA’s Advocacy Clearinghouse to arm yourself against those who question the role of libraries in an age of online information. If we can’t defend the need for strong libraries with hard facts, who will?
