Facts About New York’s Libraries *

• Sixteen different studies show that school libraries staffed by a certified school librarian, large and diverse collections, and expanded Internet access raise student test scores 10%-20%.

• New Yorkers make 107 million visits to their public libraries each year - 10 times higher than attendance at professional sporting events.

• New Yorkers found answers to 27 million research questions, borrowed 135 million books and other items, and attended 317,000 programs at their public libraries in 2005.

• Libraries serve 75 percent of New York’s households; 52 percent of New Yorkers have library cards.

• Libraries are a $1.6 billion industry in New York, generating another $3 billion in economic activity.

• New York State ranks 32nd in the nation in per capita support for on-line database resources like NOVEL, behind states like Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Texas.

• New York State ranks 11th in the nation in per capita on-going state support for public library construction, behind states like Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

• A 2006 Zogby Poll showed New Yorkers support increased funding for libraries: 63 percent support more State funding for libraries, and 85 percent support more state aid for public library construction.

* NYS Statistical Yearbook, Bibliostat Connect, NYS Library Aid Charts, US Census Bureau.