Academic libraries* in the United States Statistical trends

1990 - 2008 and 1994 - 2008

Library Visits

Visit Numbers
Year	Number
1994	927,173,988
1996	855,688,548
1998	842,096,008
2000	855,743,824
2002	880,188,296
2004	1,007,174,740
2006	975,817,024
2008	1,054,269,996

The 1998 figure is 9.2% less than 1994

Circulation

Circulation Rates
Year	Number
1990	159,837,737
1992	180,392,780
1994	183,123,172
1996	186,544,558
1998	175,409,202
2000	193,962,856
2002	189,248,230
2004	200,203,943
2006	187,236,440
2008	178,766,170

Note: The 1998 figure is 9.7% more than 1990

Reference Transactions

Transaction Volume
Year	Number
1994	111,649,668
1996	97,278,428
1998	107,645,408
2000	82,284,072
2002	78,440,492
2004	74,159,968
2006	57,244,876
2008	56,148,040

Note: The 1998 figure is 3.6% less than 1994

Interlibrary Borrowing

Borrowing Volume
Year	Number
1990	4,199,269
1992	5,304,680
1994	6,344,154
1996	7,512,105
1998	7,695,279
2000	9,494,030
2002	9,828,212
2004	10,174,075
2006	10,801,531
2008	11,095,168

Note: The 1998 figure is 83.3% more than 1990

Group Presentations

Presentation Numbers
Year	Number
1994	487,279
1996	406,778
1998	437,538
2000	431,451
2002	452,023
2004	484,212
2006	471,089
2008	498,337

Note: The 1998 figure is 10.2% less than 1994

Participants in Group Presentations

Participant Numbers
Year	Number
1994	6,081,659
1996	7,338,240
1998	7,355,518
2000	7,503,005
2002	7,965,540
2004	8,540,859
2006	8,306,186
2008	8,967,559

Note: The 1998 figure is 20.9% more than 1994

* This includes libraries that are part of institutions of higher education (Two year, four year colleges, universities).

Source: Academic Libraries: 2008 First Look . National Center for Education Statistics

Compiled by ALA Office for Research & Statistics

Contact the Office for Research & Statistics for questions about content on this page.