In 2019, total per capita spending of public libraries in the United States was 41.90 U.S. dollars. Of that, 27.95 U.S. dollars were staffing costs, and 4.50 U.S. dollars were collection costs. Per capita spending peaked in 2009 when it was 42.60 U.S. dollars.
Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type
(in U.S. dollars)
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Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type
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* Includes expenditures for binding, supplies, repair or replacement of existing furnishings and equipment, an costs of computer hardware and software used to support library operations or to link to external networks, including the Internet; also includes expenditures for service contracts, such as costs of operating and maintaining physical facilities, and fees paid to consultants, auditors, architects, attorneys, and so on.
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IMLS. (May 1, 2021). Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. "Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars)." Chart. May 1, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. (2021). Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. "Per Capita Operating Expenditures of Public Libraries in The United States for Fiscal Years 1995 to 2019, by Expenditure Type (in U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 May 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS, Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/ (last visited May 14, 2025)
Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph], IMLS, May 1, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
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