Wisconsin Public Library Materials, 2003-2012

Source for all graphs: Wisconsin Public Library Service Data 

(2012 data is preliminary.)

Observations:  The number of books owned by Wisconsin public libraries

• peaked in 2006 at 20,144,918 volumes.
• has remained relatively flat since 2003.
• is at its lowest point since 2002.
• [sidebar] grew by 21% during the 1990s.

Observations:

• Audio materials increased by 44%.
• Video materials increased by 62%.
• Consistent, year-by-year increases in both formats.

With periodicals, a longer view is instructive.  (Sidebar:  Did we not count multiple subscriptions of a individual title prior to 1994?  And if so, would such a change have accounted for the bulk of a 11,556 increase?)

BadgerLink was introduced in July 1998.

Related posts:
Wisconsin public libraries:  Municipal and county revenue, 2003-2012 . (7/17/2013)
Wisconsin public libraries: Total number of programs and program attendance, 2003-2012.  (7/17/2013)
Wisconsin public library circulation, 2003-2012. (7/17/2013)