Just Released: State Library of North Carolina FY19 Public Library Survey Data Shows “Several Areas of Growth Around the State”
From the State Library of North Carolina “Library Development” Blog:
This year’s report showed several areas of growth around the state:
- For the first time since the 2009-2010, both print and electronic item usage showed an increase in the aggregate statewide data. Nearly 80% (65) of libraries reported an increase in usage of electronic materials across formats including e-book, e-audio and e-video. Fewer libraries, 67% (55), reported an increase in database usage.
- Public libraries continue to offer more programming and attendance at programs is increasing. Over a 5 year span, program attendance has increased 25%.
- Reference transactions also showed a slight increase for the first time in several years.
- While computer usage continues to decline at most public libraries, WiFi usage increased 17% since 2018. At this time, not all libraries are able to report WiFi usage.
- Local operating budgets showed a slight increase in nominal dollars, however, a decrease in State Aid funding resulted in an overall decrease in library funding per capita.
- Library visits continue to show a decreasing pattern, however, this year’s decrease is largely due to discovering an error in reporting for a large library system. When accounting for the error, visitation is nearly flat since 2018.
Direct to Complete Blog Post and Five-Year Data Summary Chart
Direct to Report Data Files: 2018-2019 Statistical Report of North Carolina Public Libraries
Filed under: Data Files, Funding, Libraries, News, Public Libraries
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.