The Urban Libraries Council's Library Insights Survey data tracks steady incline of library use and services, offers new insights into soaring e-Resource and meeting space usage.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the summer of 2024, the Urban Libraries Council asked its 187 member libraries across the U.S. and Canada to complete the second-annual Library Insights Survey (LIS), gathering data from the 2023 calendar year to build on insights from 2019-2022. Today, ULC releases the latest urban library data and trends in the 2024 Library Insights Report.

ULC's annual Library Insights Survey captures trends in patron engagement with library programs and services. Insights from the 2024 survey offer a data-informed view of post-pandemic performance for urban public libraries across the U.S. and Canada. Responses from 115 ULC member libraries, representing nearly 2,300 locations and serving over 87.5 million people, shaped this year's findings.

“This year’s data demonstrates a continued strong rebound with impressive growth in overall library usage and an unmistakable shift in how patrons use and regard the library as a vital third place,” said Brooks Rainwater, President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council. “Increasing visits, higher program attendance and demand for spaces like meeting and study rooms underscore the library’s value as a flexible, inclusive community space.”

ULC’s 2024 Library Insights data shows the following trends:

• In-person visits to the library remain on the rise: While commercial and public service spaces have struggled to regain pre-pandemic attendance levels, the most recent data from the LIS shows that libraries recorded a 24% average increase in visits in 2023--a trend expected to continue in 2024.
• Room reservations and use of e-Resources reached new highs, topping pre-pandemic levels: Between 2023 and 2022, the average number of room reservations for all libraries surveyed increased by 52%, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 18%. This data presents one of the strongest indicators of the increased use of libraries as flexible spaces that present value to all types of patrons. Respondents also reported an 11% increase in the average number of e-Resources accessed between 2022 and 2023, representing a 40% increase when compared to 2019.
• Significant changes observed in how patrons are engaging with library programs and services: Compared to 2022, the average number of programs offered by libraries rose by approximately 42%, while the average program attendance rose approximately 53%.
• Average and total FTE library staffing is largely at pre-pandemic levels: Overall, after a decline in 2022, the recent LIS data shows a slight increase (3%) in FTE staffing levels in 2023, returning the total FTE staffing numbers closer to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
• Moderate growth in number of new branch locations recorded, a welcome trend in the face of rising urban populations: Data compiled for the calendar year 2023 shows that 16% of libraries in the LIS sample started construction of at least one new branch location--a total of 25 new branch locations. These new developments average a construction cost of about $695 per square foot.

The Library Insights Survey is an annual release from ULC, with new data released each fall. Access the 2024 Library Insights Report now.

The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and impact tank of North America’s leading public library systems. ULC drives cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions. More than 185 urban member libraries in the U.S. and Canada rely on ULC to identify significant challenges facing today’s communities and provide new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, digital equity, workforce and economic development, and race and social equity. Learn more at urbanlibraries.org.

###

Media Contact: Elise Calanni, Senior Communications Manager, Urban Libraries Council, media@urbanlibraries.org