If you ask a person on the street if they value their public library, most will respond “Yes.” But while people have a general appreciation for public libraries, often that appreciation is based on their library experiences in childhood, and they may not have a sense of what a 21st-century library offers to its users and its community.
The Library of Virginia’s Library Development and Networking Division is responsible for gathering data from public libraries and reporting that information to the Institute for Museum and Library Services, where it becomes part of the larger picture of how public libraries support and sustain their communities across the United States. We wanted to share some of that library data and some of the stories that capture how public libraries are making the lives of all Virginians better. The numbers reported below represent the most recent figures reported to the Library of Virginia, covering the 2023 fiscal year (FY23).
Virginia is fortunate to have 94 public library systems offering collections, programs, and services through 444 library locations, and employing over 4,000 staff members.
Checking Things Out
When people think about libraries, checking out items to read, watch, and listen to often comes first to mind. In FY23, Virginia public libraries circulated 55,568,294 items, an average of over 6 items for every resident in the Commonwealth. Nearly 1.2 million Virginians checked something out from their local library in FY23. This included over 14 million digital items (ebooks, downloadable audiobooks and magazines, and streaming movies).
While these are impressive numbers, did you know that in addition to checking out books and DVDs, many libraries are now offering users the chance to check out a wide range of other types of materials, from puzzles and craft kits to tools and camping gear? In FY23, library users checked out over 67,000 items from these “library of things” collections. Many libraries are also partnering with local museums and parks to offer users the opportunity to check out passes for free entry.
Library Programming
Virginia public libraries offer an impressive slate of programs for users of all ages. From story-times to book groups and author visits, more traditional library programming supports the community of readers. Lifelong learners can find library programs on everything from AI and virtual reality to knitting and zombies. Library programs also support the wellbeing of their communities with presentations on financial information, health topics, and nutrition. In FY23, over 2.5 million Virginians attended 98,468 library programs.
Another innovative library program that builds community and supports civil conversation is the “human library” where a user can “check out” a “human book” for one-on-one conversations with a volunteer about a variety of subjects. Programs like this build community connections and empathy, improving the lives of all community members.
Meeting Community Needs
Public libraries have always been about helping their communities succeed. Over 21 million Virginians visited their local library in FY23. Those visitors found answers to over 4.7 million reference questions. In addition to traditional library services like reference and checkout, these library visitors also found a host of new services that libraries are offering to support the needs of their local users.
Libraries continue to be essential to bridging digital divides. During the pandemic, most libraries expanded their Wi-Fi capabilities to provide 24/7 access. Now Virginians can access both reliable and fast network access through their local public libraries. In FY23, users initiated over 14 million Wi-Fi sessions in their public libraries as well as 2.3 million sessions on library computers. For many users, this is their only access to high-speed internet.
Twenty-six libraries in Virginia now offer passport services to users, making it more convenient for those needing to apply for or update their passports.
Public libraries are also looking at ways to engage with potentially underserved members of their communities. This includes reaching out to serve refugees and immigrants by making it easier for them to get library cards and expanding access to English-language-learning resources. Given Virginia’s large military presence, libraries are also exploring ways to connect with military families, who are moving into new communities on a regular basis. The library is a key resource for families in a new community, helping them to develop a sense of belonging.
Not everyone can come into the library, and Virginia’s public libraries are reaching out into their communities in a variety of ways. Thirty-five libraries have mobile vehicles (53 in total) that they use to bring their communities everything from traditional library services like checkout and reference to STEM activities, digital literacy classes, and other programs. In FY23, libraries offered 15,571 offsite programs that reached nearly 700,000 users.
Libraries in Virginia have also become centers for technology and creation, offering makerspaces where users can learn about and build skills on 3D printers, laser cutters, and more. Some libraries are offering Repair Cafés, where users can work with volunteer instructors to fix anything from bicycles to electronics and jewelry, addressing throw-away culture. At least 12 Virginia libraries have developed memory labs that allow users to digitize and preserve old photos and analog recordings.
In response to the pandemic, the Library of Virginia helped fund a project for public libraries to install privacy pods. These spaces allow users to take advantage of library broadband for things like job interviews, telehealth visits, and other online conversations that need to be private. At least 22 libraries currently offer privacy pods for users in 39 library locations.
The Importance of Libraries
As can be seen from the numbers and examples above, public libraries in Virginia are providing resources and building relationships that sustain their communities and improve the lives of their users. In a digital world where loneliness is pervasive, libraries provide a welcoming presence for all, regardless of age, income, or social status. If you have not visited your local library lately, stop by and see all the things that it has to offer. You can find your local library using our Virginia Public Library Map.
