Queens Library Leads U.S. In Circulation

According to the just-released "PLDS Public Library Statistical Report 2008", in Fiscal Year 2007, the Queens Borough Public Library topped U.S. public library circulation with 21,033,861 items lent. The Multnomah County, Oregon Public Library circulated the second highest number: 19,589,530.

Preliminary numbers for recently completed Fiscal Year 2008 confirm the Queens Library's No. 1 ranking, and broke another U.S. record. The Queens Library's circulation was more than 22.8 million. Public library usage is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times for free entertainment, free afterschool child care, to help with employment, for free access to the public use computers and to help save money by doing things themselves, such as home and auto repairs. The Queens Library saw a 16 percent jump in circulation and attendance immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, for instance.

The Queens Library counts extensive outreach to the community as part of its service plan. Cultivating teens as library users has been a particular focus in the last several years, with separate teen spaces being added to most library locations. New immigrants and seniors are also important target audiences.

Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library. The Queens Library serves a population of 2.2 million in the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S. With a record 22.8 million items in circulation for Fiscal Year 2008, the library has the highest circulation of any public library system in the U.S. and one of the highest circulations in the world. For more information about programs, services, locations, events and news, visit www.queenslibrary.org or call 718-990-0700.