* Includes expenditures for binding, supplies, repair or replacement of existing furnishings and equipment, an costs of computer hardware and software used to support library operations or to link to external networks, including the Internet; also includes expenditures for service contracts, such as costs of operating and maintaining physical facilities, and fees paid to consultants, auditors, architects, attorneys, and so on.
Totals are adjusted for inflation.
Data for 1995 to 2018 can be accessed through the .
Citation formats
U.S. per capita operating expenditures of public libraries FY 1995-2019, by type
In 2019, total per capita spending of public libraries in the United States was U.S. dollars. Of that, U.S. dollars were staffing costs, and **** U.S. dollars were collection costs. Per capita spending peaked in 2009 when it was U.S. dollars.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
IMLS. (May 1, 2021). Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. "Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars)." Chart. May 1, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 22, 2026. /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. (2021). Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2026. /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS. "Per Capita Operating Expenditures of Public Libraries in The United States for Fiscal Years 1995 to 2019, by Expenditure Type (in U.S. Dollars)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 May 2021, /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
IMLS, Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/ (last visited July 22, 2026)
Per capita operating expenditures of public libraries in the United States for fiscal years 1995 to 2019, by expenditure type (in U.S. dollars) [Graph], IMLS, May 1, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1326609/per-capita-operating-expenditures-public-libraries-type-us/
