How libraries stack up 2010

              Central City Bank
CHARTER MEMBER
EXPIRES
2141 1206 3456 0298
11/12
MEMBER SINCE
284 1495
1985
Central
Public Library
181 million
credit card holders
151 million
public library
card holders
It’s in our wallets
Hot spots Taking care of business
Most public libraries provide free
wireless Internet access for their
users. Nearly 12,000 now offer free
Wi-Fi. That’s more than Starbucks,
Barnes & Noble or
Borders.
12,000
U.S. public
libraries
with
free
Wi-Fi
11,000 Starbucks
Borders and
Barnes & Noble 1,300
Sources: ALA, “The State of America’s Libraries, 2009”; U.S. Census Bureau, population
estimates for those aged 20 and over; Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2010.
Sources: ALA, 2009, “Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology
Access Study, 2008–2009”; Starbucks corporate communications; www.borders.com;
www.barnesandnobleinc.com.
Library cards are about as prevalent as credit cards.
Two-thirds of Americans have a library card. For many young
people, the first card in their wallet is a library card. 5,400
U.S. public 4,000
libraries
offering
free
technology
classes
Businesses
offering computer
training
Getting technical
More libraries—5,400—offer technology training classes
than there are computer training businesses in the U.S.
Every day, 14,700 people attend free library computer
classes—a retail value of $2.2 million. That’s $629 million
worth of computer classes annually (based on 286
business days per year).
Sources: ALA, 2009, “Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology
Access Study, 2008–2009”; ReferenceUSA Business and Residential Directory; OCLC, 2010,
primary research; www.geeksquad.com.
Source: OCLC, 2010, primary research.
business
owners and
employees use
resources at
public libraries
to support
their small
businesses.
COME IN, WE’REOPEN
How libraries stack up: 2010
get job-seeking help at
their public library.
2.8 million
In America, we go to libraries to find jobs, create new careers and help grow our small businesses. We borrow
books, journals, music and movies. We learn to use the latest technology. We get the tools and information
needed to reenter the workforce. We get our questions answered, engage in civic activities, meet with friends
and co-workers and improve our skills at one of the 16,600 U.S. public libraries. Every day, our public libraries
deliver millions of dollars in resources and support
that meet the critical needs of our communities.
Here are a few of the ways
Every day that our public libraries stack up.
Americans
300,000
Source: OCLC, 2010, primary
research; ALA, 2010, “A Perfect
Storm Brewing.”
times every month