Libraries By The Numbers
Sharing some data about libraries to celebrate National Library Week!
It’s National Library Week, so let’s look at some data about libraries!
How many libraries are there in the United States and Canada?
There are an estimated 124,903 libraries of all kinds in the United States (American Library Association).
There are 642 public library systems with 3,350 branches in Canada (Canadian Urban Libraries Council).
Circulation
Digital collections became a critical resource during the pandemic and remain so today.
Libraries report an 11% increase in the average number of eResources accessed between 2022 and 2023, a 40% percent change since 2019.
At the same time, average physical circulation in 2023 was 7% lower than 2022 and 30% lower than 2019.
Source: 2024 Urban Libraries Council Library Insights Survey (U.S. and Canada)
OverDrive Digital Checkout Milestones
OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for libraries and school worldwide, had its first digital checkout in 2003 and crossed the 4 billion mark in 2024:
2024: 4 billion checkouts
2022: 3 billion checkouts
2020: 2 billion checkouts
2018: 1 billion checkouts
2012: 100 million checkouts
2007: 1 million checkouts
2003: First checkout
Source: OverDrive Blog Post - May 9, 2024
In 2024, a record-setting 185 library systems in eight countries surpassed one million digital checkouts.
The highest checkout libraries are:
14 million: Los Angeles Public Library
12 million: Toronto Public Library and MELSA: Twin Cities Metro eLibrary
11 million: National Library Board Singapore
Source: OverDrive Blog Post - January 23, 2025
Attendance
In-person visits to the library remain on the rise, but are not back to pre-pandemic levels.
Libraries reported almost 197 million total in-person visits in 2023, a 24% increase since 2022.
While in-person visits are still low compared to pre-pandemic levels (approx. 35% lower), 2023 marks continued growth of in-person library usage since the pandemic.
Source: 2024 Urban Libraries Council Library Insights Survey (U.S. and Canada)
Programs and Services
Number of programs and attendance remain on the rise.
In 2023, the average number of programs offered by libraries rose approximately 42%, while the average program attendance rose approximately 53% compared to 2022.
While these figures are somewhat distant from pre-pandemic levels, they point towards a gradual but steady recovery.
Source: 2024 Urban Libraries Council Library Insights Survey (U.S. and Canada)
Support your local library! Happy reading!