Looking at Wisconsin Public Library Circulation From a Variety of Angles

First of all, we can take a straightforward, unvarnished look -- circulation by library according to community population. [NOTE:  The Wisconsin Public Library Service Data for 2010 is the sole source for the bar graphs in this little exercise.]

No surprises in Bar Graph 1, as larger communities have a larger customer base.

The 81 public libraries maintained by communities of less than 1,000 comprise a service area that includes 2.5% of the state's population and 2.3% of the state's public library circulation.

The 20 largest public libraries comprise a service area that includes 39.5% of the state's population and 43.0% of the state's public library circulation.

Bar Graph 1

A leveling effect occurs in Bar Graph 2, however, when we look at per capita circulation.

The 81 public libraries maintained by communities of less than 1,000 population have an average per capita circulation of 10.5.

The 20 largest public libraries have an average per capita circulation of 10.4

Based on these numbers, I'll stick out my neck and say that no matter what the location -- rural, urban, small town, suburb -- Wisconsin residents love and value their public libraries.

Anyone want to speculate on the above-average numbers for libraries in communities in the 5,000 to 39,999 population range?

Bar Graph 2

Once upon a time, I used circulation per FTE (fulltime equivalent staff) as a way to demonstrate the Middleton Public Library's high level of use.  I can't say with any certitude that it decisively influenced any members of the city's finance committee.  Maybe it's just more a reflection of my fascination with numbers, which goes back to a young boy's obsession with baseball statistics.  (It's a good thing we didn't have the Internet back then!)

Here's my Middleton example, from the 2006 budget proposal.   As you might guess, it's included as part of a book budget decision item.

[Sidebar:  "In the Middle of It All" was the Middleton Tourism Commission's promotional tag line in the mid 2000s.   It's been changed since then.]

Here's how the statewide numbers by population category look.

Bar Graph 3

Finally, here's the fourth and last angle, whose preparation served as a calming measure while I watched last night's Wisconsin-North Carolina basketball game on TV.

Not surprisingly, Bar Graph 4 corresponds most closely to Bar Graph 1.

Bar Graph 4

Related posts:
Status Report on Wisconsin's Public Libraries (Part 2A: Where Does the Money Come From?)  (11/28/2011)
Status Report on Wisconsin's Public Libraries (Part 2: Where Does the Money Come From?)  {11/22/2011)

Status report on Wisconsin's public libraries, part 1.  (11/19/2011)
Wisconsin public library staff, 1990-2010.  (10/5/2011)

Wisconsin public library programs and attendance, 1991-2010.  (10/6/2011)