Adams County: Public Access Internet Computers (1999-2013) and Print Serial Subscriptions (1996-2013)

2010 population: 20,875

Public libraries:

• Adams County Public Library
• Lester Public Library of Rome

This latest line-graph series is the result of my wondering if there's any pattern to the number of print serial subscriptions held by public libraries in relation to the increasing number of public access Internet computers provided by public libraries since 1999.  (Earliest year for which Wisconsin statistics are available.)

Note:
The 1996, 1997, 1998 Wisconsin public library annual reports asked for the following information:

• Libraries with Internet access.  (Answered yes or no.)
• Libraries with electronic services.  (Answered yes or no.)

In 1999, public libraries reported the number of public access Internet computers for the first time in the annual report.

The pattern in the next line graph is what I was expecting here.  But as we will see, it is not a consistent one.

Source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Data

Percentage change in print serial subscriptions from peak year:  -35.6%.

Source:  Bertot, John Carlo.   Public Access Technologies in Public Libraries: Effects and Implications.  Information Technology and Libraries, June 2009.