Leisure Time in Our Community - Public Libraries And Bookmobiles

The number of public libraries¹² in the United States has increased since 1993 and the number of people served by them also has increased (from 255.5 million in 1994 to 270.9 million in 1999). In 1993 there were 8,929 public libraries. By 1999, this number had grown to 9,046. This growth has not been steady. In 1996 there were 35 fewer public libraries than in 1995. 1997 saw an increase of 21 public libraries but 1998 saw three fewer. 1999, however, saw an increase of 82 public libraries.

The chart above shows the total number of library outlets¹, the number of central libraries and branch libraries, and the number of bookmobiles for the years 1993-1999. The total number of library outlets has gone up over the years, much of this due to the expansion of branch libraries. The number of central libraries has decreased, as has the number of bookmobiles. This suggests that libraries are consolidating their administrative services, but building more branches to reach out to more neighborhoods. With more branches in the neighborhoods, the need for bookmobiles has decreased. Will this trend continue?

On February 4, 2002, President George W. Bush proposed a $13 million increase in funding for public libraries ($181.7 million total spending for libraries) in his administration's fiscal year 2003 budget. On the same day, the state of Hawaii announced that it would have to close some library branches and cut hours and service at others. According to the same news report, a new public library branch in Kapolei (set to open in July 2003) may have to stand empty due to budget constraints. How can this happen?

The next panel looks at the funding of public libraries.

Sources: Chart data: National Center for Education Statistics. U.S. Department of Education. Public Libraries in the United States: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, various publication dates. Retrieved February 18, 2002 from http://nces.ed.gov. "Bush Budget Boosts Recruitment, Funds School Libraries." American Libraries, February 11, 2002. "Hawaii's Libraries Face Cuts in Hours, Service." American Libraries, February 11, 2002.