New Data: Louisiana Public Library Usage Continues to Climb

From the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism:

Public libraries in Louisiana recorded more than 10 million visits in 2023, marking double-digit growth over the prior year, newly released figures show, as libraries increased the number of programs offered, and the public used more Wi-Fi.

The State Library of Louisiana reported the numbers in the recently released 2023 edition of Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report. Sixty-seven of the 68 public library systems in the state provided data for the report.

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In-person visits to the 333 public library locations and 28 bookmobiles across the state have continued to rebound after stay-at-home orders were put in place during the pandemic. In 2023, Louisiana’s public libraries recorded 10.4 million visits, up from 9.2 million the year before.

Patrons borrowed items 39.8 million times in 2023. Of those loans, 6.6 million were for e-books. Library collections around the state grew to 26.6 million print and electronic items, an increase of almost 12 percent from 2022.

Meanwhile, use of electronic resources also continued to grow, the report shows, with patrons using Wi-Fi 5.6 million times, an increase of 19 percent from the years before.

The report also notes that:

• There were 2.3 million library card holders in Louisiana in 2022, just more than 50 percent of the state.
• Librarians answered 2.6 million reference questions in person and online.
• Three-million people attended more than 91,000 in-person and live virtual events hosted by public libraries.
• Electronic databases were accessed 21.6 million times by library card holders.
• More than 70,000 items were borrowed for patrons by their home library from another library through the Interlibrary Loan System.

“It’s always great to confirm what we believe – the public still appreciates what their local library offers,” said State Librarian Meg Placke. “It is easy to discount libraries in this day and age, but the services they offer are more than just books.”

“There’s no better feeling collecting the data for this document every year and seeing growth,” said Associate State Librarian Michael Golrick, who compiles the annual report. “I know the final product is especially welcome by local libraries around Louisiana. They know their hard work is paying off.”

A complete copy of the 2023 statistical report and previous year’s editions can be found on the State Library’s website.

Direct to Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report 2023

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