In terms of place, new public library facility projects are prolific, reflecting public and private investor attitudes that libraries are attractive anchors to new and infill development. The survey also shows that public libraries have mobilized to support the creators of urban vitality - people. Library services to people, both alone and in collaboration with local partners, are providing important resources that contribute to economic development in America's cities. This report summarizes urban public libraries' responses, in terms of impacting the development of place and people. All data contained in this report are based on responses to the survey.
Half are a mix of urban, suburban and exurban populations.
A third are purely urban. The responding libraries serve population areas that range from 95,000 to 3.8 million people. Overall, these libraries have a combined service area of over 42 million people, have over 22.5 million users, and work out of 1,146 neighborhood facilities, as well as 42 central or main libraries, usually located downtown. Together, they employ the rough equivalent of 20,500 full-time employees. While much has been made of stadium and convention center projects, there has been less well-known, but significant, public investment in urban public library facilities.