The Kids Have It! Children’s Use of Public Libraries Continues to Grow

According to a recent study by the Colorado State Library, Library Research Services, during the last decade, circulation of public library children’s materials and participation in public library programs for children increased significantly in the state.

In Colorado public libraries from 1998 to 2007…

• The number of circulation transactions for children’s materials rose 41 percent from 13.5 to 19.1 million.
• Attendance at children’s programs increased 53 percent, going from some 810,000 to 1.24 million.
• The number of children’s programs showed the highest rate of increase at 58 percent, going from 31,165 to 49,136 programs annually.
• Children’s circulation transactions totaled some 159.1 million and children’s program attendance totaled 10.2 million.

Clearly, public libraries are supporting children’s learning by collecting materials that children wish to read and providing appealing library-sponsored programs.
For more on this study, see http://www.lrs.org/