Are You Surprised?
I was pleasantly surprised that Wyoming citizens visit public libraries so much. I’d be curious of the patrons’ average age.
Does your state’s rating surprise you?
I use the library’s Libby app extensively throughout the year to listen to audiobooks. In the winter, I go to the library on Friday afternoons and work on a jigsaw puzzle or just browse the shelves.
The Laramie library also has knitting needles and crochet hooks to checkout, which I think is brilliant. Last year, they were offering free yarn, as well.
I’m from Wisconsin and getting a new library card when we moved was very important to me.
ReplyDeleteI use our library A LOT!!! I constantly have requests in for books (I don't really enjoy audio, though they are offered).
ReplyDeleteI'm rather surprised about the info for both Virginia and Maryland. In MD we used our county library extensively and it had one of the highest check out rates in the nation. Our time in Georgia just confirmed that it wasn't a state that used libraries all that much. But I would have thought Va would have a higher usage. But Va also has a lot of rural areas where I suspect library use is fairly low. I too use my local libraries Libby for books and audio. On top of that I also have real books (ie physical books) that I read on occasion. Thanks for sharing this interesting map.
ReplyDeleteI think Pennsylvania may suffer the same as Bonnie mentioned for Virginia. I would guess the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas would rank much higher than 1.72, but a huge swath through the middle would rank very low.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I read a LOT, but rarely take a book out from the library. I either buy my books or find them in Little Free Libraries. So, I'm not really helping that 1.72 climb (except for this week .... I'm reading a library book. LOL)
I used to go to our city's library at least once a month. But then during Covid they had so many restrictions that I have gotten out of the habit of going in person. I read every day - usually eBooks anymore. But still enjoy having a real book in my hands.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go once a week to meet with the woodcarving bunch and then I would go into the book section once in awhile. Since Covid we don't go inside many places...the clinic is the only place my husband goes. I go inside two smaller grocery stores, the meat market, the bank, post office...such is life:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to my library since the Covid shut down days stopped my regular visits. Sounds like you have a great library!
ReplyDeleteInteresting map!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised by my state's rating. The Mister is a regular at our new library and says there's never anyone there. They host a knitting group every Friday but I'm still too spooked by Covid to go. My daughter and her family are just getting over it and it wasn't a fun week worrying about them. None of them have ever had it before so it was scary especially since she is 7 months pregnant and the baby Grand is only two. They seem fine now. Whew...
ReplyDeleteI love that they have yarn and hooks and needles. One of the first things we did when we moved back to Omaha was get library cards. I used the Libby app a lot too. So does Mandy. She and Piper go at least once a week for regular books too. Mandy & Dennis have similar taste in books so she keeps her Dad up to date on any new books she thinks he'll like.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
Keeping books available at libraries is so important. Great that your state leads the pack!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the least used libraries are generally in the southern part of the country. Is this weather related - more warm weather means less reading? I also wonder if states that have such a hullabaloo about book banning have fewer library readers? All kinds of interesting extrapolations are possible.
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