In 2012, Americans made 1.5 billion trips to public libraries in the United States—the equivalent of more than 4.1 million visits each day, according to new research by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The research indicates there is still a high demand for the resources and services of the nation’s approximately 9,000 public libraries. IMLS released the report, Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2012, an analysis of the most comprehensive annual data collection of US public library statistics.

The Survey  examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. These data, supplied annually by more than 97 % of public libraries across the country, provide information that policymakers and practitioners can use to make informed decisions about the support and strategic management of libraries.