Sep 10, 2026 - Business
America's library borrowing hotspots
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Ohio, Utah and Washington lead the nation with more than 11 public library checkouts per person, federal data shows.
The big picture: Public libraries nationwide reported 6.5 checkouts per person in FY 2024, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services survey.
- That figure includes physical items and electronic materials like e-books.
The other side: West Virginia (3.5), Georgia (3.1) and Mississippi (1.9) saw the fewest library checkouts per person.
Between the lines: U.S. library circulation per person is rebounding from its pandemic-era drop, helped by a boom in digital borrowing.
- Electronic material checkouts reached a decade-high 2.1 per person in FY 2024, per IMLS.
- Physical checkouts remain twice as common, at 4.3 per person.
The bottom line: Take this as a reminder to finally get your library card — or return those expired books.
