Book Circulation Per U.S. Public Library User Since 1856

Underappreciated data concerning libraries’ holdings and circulation over the past century and a half offer insights into the behavior of libraries and their users. Book circulation per public library user indicates an outcome of users’ demand for books and libraries’ supply of books. From 1856 to 1978, library users borrowed from U.S. public libraries about 15 books per user per year. From 1978 to 2004, about 25% of book circulation shifted to audio-visual circulation. Over about a century and a half, library book circulation per user shows no strong, long-run trend either up or down. This outcome suggests that libraries have adapted to maintain the stability of their operation and that library borrowing practices are wellembedded in popular life.