Library Statistics and Figures: Number of Public Libraries in the United States Over Time
A collection of often requested numeric information about libraries in the U.S.
Number of Public Libraries in the United States Over Time
| Year | Number of Public Libraries |
| 1992 | 8,946 |
| 1993 | 8,929 |
| 1994 | 8,921 |
| 1995 | 8,981 |
| 1996 | 8,946 |
| 1997 | 8,967 |
| 1998 | 8,964 |
| 1999 | 9,046 |
| 2000 | 9,074 |
| 2001 | 9,129 |
| 2002 | 9,137 |
| 2003 | 9,211 |
| 2004 | 9,207 |
| 2005 | 9,198 |
| 2006 | 9,208 |
| 2007 | 9,214 |
| 2008 | 9,221 |
| 2009 | 9,225 |
| 2010 | 8,951 |
| 2011 | 8,956 |
| 2012 | 9,082 |
| 2013 | 9,091 |
| 2014 | 9,070 |
| 2015 | 9,068 |
| 2016 | 9,057 |
| 2017 | 9,045 |
| 2018 | 9,058 |
| 2019 | 9,057 |
*All data in this table are from the Public Libraries Survey, which is conducted every year by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)IMLS is an agency of the United States federal government. The mission of IMLS is to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.
