This statistic shows the largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held. Harvard University was the third largest library in the U.S. with approximately 16.83 million volumes.
* Definition of volume:
Academic libraries: A single unit of any printed, typewritten, handwritten, mimeographed, or processed work, distinguished from other units by a separate binding, encasement, portfolio, or other clear distinction, which has been cataloged, classified, and made ready for use, and which is typically the unit used to charge circulation transactions.
Public librariesHoldings are defined as the number of cataloged items. Include print materials, electronic books, audio materials, and video materials acquired as part of the collection and cataloged, whether purchased, leased, licensed, or donated as gifts.
Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held
(in millions)
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American Library Association. (October 31, 2012). Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/
American Library Association. "Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held (in millions)." Chart. October 31, 2012. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/
American Library Association. (2012). Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/
American Library Association. "Largest Libraries in The United States as of October 2012, by Number of Volumes Held (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Oct 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/
American Library Association, Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Largest libraries in the United States as of October 2012, by number of volumes held (in millions) [Graph], American Library Association, October 31, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/252548/us-libraries-by-number-of-volumes-held/
