Library circulation called stagnant in Boston
- From: J Flenner <varney@[redacted]>
- Subject: Library circulation called stagnant in Boston
- Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 08:05:28 EST
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/03/11/libraries_residents_not_on
_same_page_study_finds/
March 11, 2006 | Boston Globe
Libraries, residents not on same page, study finds
Circulation called stagnant in Boston
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff
The Boston Public Library system is underperforming most big city
library systems, even though it has a bigger budget, more staff, and
more books per capita than most, according to a study performed for the
city.
Of 77 large public library systems across the country, Boston's ranked
59th for the number of times books or other materials were checked out
per capita, according to data from the report, compiled by Wellspring
Consulting of Boston. While most other libraries were showing steady
growth in circulation, Boston was flat, and had slightly more than half
the average circulation rate of the other big city systems.
In a survey of Boston residents contained in the report, fewer than half
said they use a library at least twice a year. Nearly a third said they
would not use the library at all.
Preliminary findings of the report, commissioned by Mayor Thomas M.
Menino and Boston Public Library's board of trustees to help determine
the need for changes to the system, were presented to city officials
this week. A final report, with recommendations, is due later.
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