Academic libraries* in the United States Statistical trends

1990 - 2008 and 1994 - 2008

Library Visits

Visit Numbers
Year Number

1994

927,173,988

1996

855,688,548

1998

842,096,008

2000

855,743,824

2002

880,188,296

2004

1,007,174,740

2006

975,817,024

2008

1,054,269,996

The 1998 figure is 9.2% less than 1994


Circulation

Circulation Rates
Year Number

1990

159,837,737

1992

180,392,780

1994

183,123,172

1996

186,544,558

1998

175,409,202

2000

193,962,856

2002

189,248,230

2004

200,203,943

2006

187,236,440

2008

178,766,170

Note: The 1998 figure is 9.7% more than 1990


Reference Transactions

Transaction Volume
Year Number

1994

111,649,668

1996

97,278,428

1998

107,645,408

2000

82,284,072

2002

78,440,492

2004

74,159,968

2006

57,244,876

2008

56,148,040

Note: The 1998 figure is 3.6% less than 1994


Interlibrary Borrowing

Borrowing Volume
Year Number

1990

4,199,269

1992

5,304,680

1994

6,344,154

1996

7,512,105

1998

7,695,279

2000

9,494,030

2002

9,828,212

2004

10,174,075

2006

10,801,531

2008

11,095,168


Note: The 1998 figure is 83.3% more than 1990


Group Presentations

Presentation Numbers
Year Number

1994

487,279

1996

406,778

1998

437,538

2000

431,451

2002

452,023

2004

484,212

2006

471,089

2008

498,337

Note: The 1998 figure is 10.2% less than 1994


Participants in Group Presentations

Participant Numbers
Year Number

1994

6,081,659

1996

7,338,240

1998

7,355,518

2000

7,503,005

2002

7,965,540

2004

8,540,859

2006

8,306,186

2008

8,967,559

Note: The 1998 figure is 20.9% more than 1994


* This includes libraries that are part of institutions of higher education (Two year, four year colleges, universities).

Source: Academic Libraries: 2008 First Look . National Center for Education Statistics

Compiled by ALA Office for Research & Statistics

Contact the Office for Research & Statistics for questions about content on this page.