Library usage in Louisiana is on the uptick. According to Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report more than 9 million visits were recorded in 2022 and patrons checked out more than 46 million items. State Librarian Meg Placke said it’s welcome news after a dip during the pandemic.
“And it’s great to see that this has bounced back better than ever with people coming back into the library checking out all of the things that we have,” said Placke.
Visits increased by 21% from 2021.
Placke said the state’s 334 public libraries are much more than just books. In 2022 they provided close to 75,000 programs, in-person and virtual events for the community that recorded more than two million attendees.
“And it just shows how important libraries are. They are not obsolete, libraries are community centers and are really a wonderful resource to their communities and needed,” said Placke.
Librarians were busy answering 2.5 million reference questions online and in person in 2022 and Placke invites even more visitors to research what’s going on at their local library.
“They provide business resources, we have a wonderful program for tutoring, through our online tutoring program Homework Louisiana that’s offered in all of our libraries and just so many things, not just books,” said Placke.
In 2022, almost 54% of Louisianans, 2.4 million, were library card holders.
Placke said as they begin to crunch the numbers for 2023, they expect visits will be even higher than 2022.
To read the entire report click here.
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