State of America’s Libraries 2018 :: American Libraries

State of America’s Libraries 2018

New report affirms the invaluable role of libraries and library workers

American Libraries: 4.09.2018

The State of America’s Libraries

On April 9, the American Library Association (ALA) released The State of America’s Libraries report for 2018, an annual summary of library trends released during National Library Week, April 8–14, that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries. The report affirms the invaluable role libraries and library workers play within their communities by leading efforts to transform lives through education and lifelong learning.

During this time of rapid social change, libraries of all types are providing welcoming spaces to an increasingly diverse population; working with the community to offer social service support and health resources, career, and small business development assistance; and combating fake news by providing tools to assess and evaluate news sources.

The function of libraries as community centers is readily recognized. A Brookings Institution article even referred to librarians as “ad hoc social workers and navigators” who “help local people figure out the complexities of life.” This role is especially evident, and never more essential, than in times of crisis, and 2017 had its share of adversity—from natural disasters to shootings on school campuses.

The report found that libraries continue to face challenges that carry with them the potential for censorship, to a variety of books, programs, and materials. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 354 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2017. Some individual challenges resulted in requests to restrict or remove multiple titles or collections. Overall in 2017, 416 books were targeted—direct attacks on the freedom to read.

Other library trends addressed in the State of America’s Libraries 2018 report include:

Voter perceptions, use, and attitudes toward public libraries

Health and digital literacy initiatives

Sustainability as a library’s core value

School libraries and student outcomes

Three major trends that are affecting libraries

Library advocates and federal funding

The State of America’s Libraries

Public libraries continue to play a vital and expanding role in serving their communities. Through innovative programs and partnerships, they are narrowing the digital divide and the achievement gap for low-income families, as well as expanding access to health information.

Digital literacy

With more than 16,500 physical locations in communities of all sizes across the country, public libraries make powerful partners in bridging the digital divide. They are essential providers of public internet access, computers, and training that community members need to compete in today’s digital world

Health literacy

Low health literacy is a major source of economic inefficiency in the US healthcare system. Nine in ten adults have difficulty understanding and making use of the health information they encounter every day. Last summer, PLA and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) launched a nationwide initiative to increase public library workers’ knowledge and skills related to consumer health services.

Voter perceptions

OCLC, the ALA Office for Library Advocacy, and PLA collaborated in 2018 to update the seminal research published in OCLC’s From Awareness to Funding report (PDF) in 2008 in order to get a current understanding of voter perceptions, use, and attitudes toward public libraries, librarians, and library funding.

Several themes emerged from the new survey, From Awareness to Funding: Voter Perceptions and Support of Public Libraries in 2018 (PDF), among them:

➤A majority of US voters believe public libraries are essential to communities and a source of civic pride.

➤Voters still highly value such traditional library services as free access to books and quiet areas, but they also increasingly value the library as a community hub.

➤A disconnect still exists between the services libraries offer and public awareness and support for those services.

➤Although a majority of voters are likely to support library funding at the local ballot box, fewer are committed to definite support.

➤A majority of voters still do not realize that the primary source of library funding is local.

Other key findings:

➤Some 55% of voters view the library as an essential public institution, and 58% feel that public libraries advance education.

➤As many as 44% of voters (up from 35% in 2008) view the library is a place for people in the community to gather and socialize. They increasingly see this as an important role for libraries.

➤A total of 70% of voters visited a public library in the last year, in addition to 52% who visited online.

➤“Foundational” library services—including quiet spaces, access to books and technology, and Wi-Fi access—continue to be very important for two-thirds of voters.

➤The majority of voters (58%) indicate they are likely to vote for local ballot efforts that benefit libraries. A strong majority also support federal funding for libraries and are willing to donate money to support libraries.

➤There is confusion, however, in terms of the disproportionate impact of local funding for public libraries. Almost 60% believe public library funds come from sources other than local.

Library Reports & Statistics

Current
Public Library Surveys - IMLS

Star Libraries, Library Journal

State of America’s Libraries - ALA
State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA) Survey (Biennial), IMLS
Library Surveys, Pew
2013

Public Library Data Service Statistical Report: Characteristics and Trends: US and Canada

2012
Creating a Nation of Learners-Strategic Plan: 2012-2016, IMLS
Libraries, patrons, and e-books, Pew
2011
Who’s in the Queue? Demo Analysis Public Access Computer . . . , IMLS
2010
Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings
2005
Long Overdue: Attitudes About Libraries, Public Agenda

Library / Literacy Funding

2018

From Awareness to Funding: Voter Perceptions and Support of Public Libraries in 2018, OCLC

2017
Library & Literacy Funding Chart: FY 2017 -by President, House, and Senate - (ALA)

2011
Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, ALA
2008
From Awareness to Funding: A Study of Library Support in America, OCLC
2007
Worth Their Weight: Assessment . . . Library Valuation, ALC/ALA
Return On Investment - ROI
Economic Impact of Public Libraries (various ROIs), WI Dept Public Instruction

Public Libraries – A Wise Investment - Library Research Service