If you’re involved in managing a library, you know that it’s a complex and important task. Whether you’re working in a public or private library, you need to stay on top of trends, demographics, and software in order to offer the best possible services to your patrons.
To help you stay up to date, we’ve compiled a list of library management statistics that cover everything from adoption rates to software usage. We’ve also included information on the benefits of effective library management, as well as the challenges you might face in this field.
Key Library Management Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- According to the American Library Association, there are more than 117,000 libraries in the United States.
- The number of public libraries in the United States is approximately 9,000.
- There are approximately 15,000 academic libraries in the United States.
- According to the World Bank, in 2019, the United States had 2.6 public libraries per 100,000 people.
- In 2019, the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. had more than 170 million items in its collection.
- The New York Public Library has the third-largest collection of any public library in the world, with more than 55 million items.
- The Library and Archives Canada has a collection of more than 20 million items.
- The British Library in London has the largest collection of any national library in the world, with more than 170 million items.
- In 2019, approximately 2.3 billion books were borrowed from public libraries in the United States.
- The number of e-books available in public libraries has increased significantly in recent years, with over 1.4 million e-books available in 2021.
- In 2019, approximately 90% of public libraries in the United States offered free Wi-Fi to patrons.
- According to a 2020 survey by the American Library Association, 95% of public libraries in the United States offered programming for adults, and 99% offered programming for children.
- In 2019, approximately 73% of public libraries in the United States offered access to online databases and other digital resources.
- According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the median annual salary for librarians in the United States was $59,050 in 2020.
- In 2019, approximately 94% of public libraries in the United States offered access to public computers.
Library Management Stats
- The United States has the most libraries in the world, with over 119,000 libraries.
- Public libraries in the US receive over 1.3 billion visits each year.
- Approximately 95% of Americans believe that public libraries play an important role in their communities.
- The average age of a public library building in the US is 40 years old.
- The most borrowed book from US libraries is “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown.
- In 2019, the New York Public Library circulated over 32 million items.
Table 1: Library Management Usage Statistics
| Generation | Usage Rate |
|---|---|
| Millennials | 53% |
Table 2: Library Management Market Statistics
| Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Growth of national product in Federal Republic | 6.5% |
| Expenditure per student in Hamburg | 2% |
| Trend factors of additional expenditure per year in Hamburg | 4.74% |
| Trend factors of additional expenditure per year in Munster | 5.18% |
| Increase per year | 0.8% |
| Percentage of students using library in Hamburg | 67% |
| Trend factor | -0.07 |
| Potential users in the year 2000 | 28% |
| Target situation | 100% |
Table 3: Library Management Latest Statistics
| Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Results from regression analysis between income and variables | Evidence for validity of the framework |
| Effect size | Small |
| Percentage of women Library Managers | 61.9% |
| Percentage of men Library Managers | 38.1% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – White | 81.5% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – Hispanic or Latino | 6.7% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – Black or African American | 5.9% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – Asian | 3.7% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – Unknown | 1.8% |
| Ethnicity of Library Managers – American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.4% |
| Percentage of women in Library Manager roles by job title | |
| Elementary Librarian | 92% female, 8% male |
| Children’s Librarian | 89% female, 11% male |
| High School Librarian | 85% female, 15% male |
| Library Manager | 62% female, 38% male |
| Art Preparator | 22% female, 78% male |
| Exhibit Technician | 20% female, 80% male |
| Technician’s Helper | 12% female, 88% male |
| Percentage of Library Managers by degree | |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 65% |
| Master’s Degree | 20% |
| Associate | 7% |
| Doctorate | 3% |
| Other Degrees | 5% |
| Average age of Library Managers | 40+ years old, representing 75% of population |
| Most common foreign language among Library Managers | Spanish (34.3%) |
| Second most popular foreign language among Library Managers | French (14.9%) |
| Third most popular foreign language among Library Managers | Portuguese (7.5%) |
Library Management Facts
- Library management involves overseeing the acquisition, organization, and distribution of library resources.
- Effective library management requires a combination of technical skills, people skills, and a commitment to providing excellent service.
- Libraries have evolved over time to include a variety of services, such as maker spaces, digital media labs, and community outreach programs.
Library Management Benefits
- Effective library management can help libraries to better serve their communities, by providing resources and services that meet the needs of patrons.
- Libraries can help to promote literacy and lifelong learning, by providing access to books, educational materials, and digital resources.
- Library programs and services can help to bridge the digital divide, by providing access to technology and training.
Library Management Trends
- Libraries are increasingly focused on providing digital resources, such as ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming media.
- Maker spaces and digital media labs are becoming more common in libraries, as they provide patrons with opportunities to learn new skills and create original content.
- Libraries are partnering with other community organizations to provide social services, such as job training and health care.
Library Management Adoption
- Library management software is becoming more widely adopted, as it helps libraries to manage their collections, automate routine tasks, and provide better service to patrons.
- Patron-facing technologies, such as self-checkout kiosks and online catalogs, are also becoming more common in libraries.
Library Management Market Analysis
- The global library management software market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.25% between 2020 and 2025.
- The market is driven by the increasing adoption of cloud-based library management software, which offers greater scalability and flexibility.
Library Management Demographics
- Library patrons come from a wide range of demographic groups, including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors.
- Libraries also serve diverse populations, including people with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income individuals.
Library Management Software
- Library management software includes a variety of tools, such as cataloging software, circulation software, and interlibrary loan software.
- Open source library management software, such as Koha and OpenBiblio, is becoming more popular as libraries seek to reduce costs and increase flexibility.
Library Management Opportunities
- Effective library management can help libraries to stay relevant and meet the changing needs of their communities.
- Libraries can partner with other organizations, such as schools, museums, and community centers, to provide a more comprehensive range of services.
Library Management Challenges
- Libraries face a variety of challenges, such as funding constraints, changing patron needs, and competition from other media providers.
- In order to remain effective, libraries need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and technologies.
FAQ
What is library management?
Library management involves overseeing the acquisition, organization, and distribution of library resources.
How can effective library management benefit communities?
Effective library management can help libraries to better serve their communities, by providing resources and services that meet the needs of patrons.
What are some of the challenges that libraries face?
Libraries face a variety of challenges, such as funding constraints, changing patron needs, and competition from other media providers.
Conclusion
Managing a library is a complex task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career. By staying up to date on trends, demographics, and software, you can ensure that your library is providing the best possible services to your patrons.
