This profile is based on data provided in the Connecticut Public Library Annual Report 2007/2008 and Application for State Grant 2008/2009. This is essentially the same report that was published in print form in February of 2009. The main data tables are available in the Complete_Profile2008 Excel file above. Also available is the same report, but sorted by population, Complete_Profile2008 SortedByPopulation. This file helps libraries compare themselves to towns of similar size. You can also go to Statistical Profile 2008 by Population Groups to make comparisons easier.
Included in the Excel Files available as Downloads above:
| Summary Data for the Years 2003 to 2008 | Personnel Information |
| Selected Library Usage Statistics | Benefits Information |
| Library Buildings | Income/Revenue |
| Library Services | Fees & Charges |
| Library Collections | Expenditures |
| Year Totals | ||||||
| 2002/2003 | 2003/2004 | 2004/2005 | 2005/2006 | 2006/2007 | 2007/2008 | |
| Number of libraries reporting | 183 | 183 | 182 | 183 | 181 | 181 |
| Total hours open typical week | 8,781 | 8,801 | 8,821 | 8,857 | 8,870 | 8,719 |
| Total FTE’s (40 hour week) | 2,427 | 2,327 | 2,344 | 2,320 | 2,335 | 2,296 |
| Total registered borrowers | 1,973,035 | 1,948,523 | 1,944,159 | 2,048,448 | 1,996,573 | 2,050,901 |
| Registrations per capita | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Library visits per capita | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6 | 6 | 5.9 | 6.2 |
| Total reference transactions | 3,925,162 | 4,125,064 | 4,103,772 | 4,159,777 | 4,086,595 | 4,203,050 |
| Reference transactions per capita | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Total circulation | 30,986,655 | 31,092,151 | 30,374,748 | 30,401,790 | 30,232,262 | 31,476,523 |
| Circulation per capita | 9 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 9.0 |
| Total Connecticard circulation | 4,516,884 | 4,654,001 | 4,654,118 | 4,569,771 | 4,622,355 | 4,608,119 |
| Per cent of all circulation | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Total book/serial circulation | 20,044,723 | 19,953,338 | 19,268,234 | 19,087,554 | 19,175,571 | 19,925,840 |
| Per cent of all circulation | 65% | 64% | 63% | 63% | 63% | 63% |
| Print Collections | 13,669,998 | 13,911,899 | 14,185,369 | 14,135,305 | 13,998,098 | 14,113,831 |
| Print Collections per Capita | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| DVDs/Videos | 643,823 | 708,521 | 764,922 | 819,163 | 861,025 | 902,419 |
| Library Programs | 57,129 | 59,919 | 60,030 | 63,987 | 69,687 | 73,318 |
| In-Library Use of Internet Computers | 4,926,119 | 5,930,266 | 5,566,648 | 5,534,726 | ||
| Net total operating income | $140,323,271 | $144,839,140 | $150,960,221 | $157,432,936 | $159,002,399 | $169,313,832 |
| Net operating income per capita | $40.55 | $41.58 | $43.09 | $44.85 | $45.29 | $48.34 |
| Total local appropriation income | $121,434,942 | $126,930,346 | $129,635,994 | $136,656,752 | 140,543,119 | $146,969,943 |
| Total state fund income | $4,042,962 | $2,587,083 | $1,857,071 | $5,421,868 | $7,876,170 | $3,775,490 |
| Total federal fund income | $1,638,172 | $808,444 | $580,254 | $314,639 | $2,257,061 | $147,129 |
| Total expenditures, materials | $17,437,436 | $18,166,453 | $18,068,547 | $18,467,368 | $18,913,867 | $19,290,409 |
| Materials expenditures per capita | $5.04 | $5.22 | $5.16 | $5.26 | $5.39 | $5.51 |
| Total operating expenditures | $139,252,792 | $140,148,203 | $143,538,134 | $165,388,276 | $161,396,578 | $173,633,060 |
| Operating expenditures per capita | $40.24 | $40.23 | $40.97 | $47.12 | $45.97 | $49.58 |
Introduction to the Statistical Profile, 2008
Each of the 165 principal public libraries in Connecticut is required by Section 11-24b of the General Statutes of Connecticut to file a Connecticut Public Library Annual Report and Application for State Grant to be eligible to receive state aid funds. There are an additional 30 libraries in the state that meet the federal definition of a public library. While not required to do so, many of these non-principal public libraries also file an annual report form with the State Library. The information in this document is compiled from reports received from 181 public libraries in Connecticut for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008: 165 principal public libraries and 16 non-principal public libraries. The reports received also provide the basis for the State Library’s annual public library statistical report to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Principal public libraries are listed in bold type. The number of libraries reporting in each data column is noted at the head of the column. When a space has been left blank, it indicates that the library did not report in that category. Computations of per capita use the populations of the library's Legal Service Area. The computations of statewide averages use the population of the entire state as compiled by the State Department of Public Health, 2007. Total Town Revenue figures come from Municipal Fiscal Indicators, an annual compendium of information compiled by the State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management.
Users of this data are offered the following caveats:
- Beginning in FY2005-2006, Town Paid Fringe Benefits as well as Town Paid Plant Maintenance are included in Total Operating Expenditures. Previous Statistical Profiles excluded those items from Total Operating Expenditures and Total Expenditures per Capita.
- All data is "as reported". The State Library does not verify any information from reporting libraries.
- Where applicable, per Capita figures for non-principal libraries were computed using the whole population of the designated town where the library is located.
- Included in the population for the Slater Library in Griswold is Lisbon; the Salem Free Public Library includes Bozrah; and the Beardsley and Memorial Library in Winchester includes Colebrook and Barkhamsted. Each library has contracted to provide library services to these towns.
Corrections, and comments should be sent to: State Library Data Coordinator, Connecticut State Library, 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1537.
The State Library would like to thank the library directors, staff, and trustees who collect and report their data each year.
AENGLC Rank - Adjusted Equalized Net Grand List Per Capita, a measure of town wealth calculated annually by the State Department of Education, Grants Management Division
Association Library - A library that is not a unit of town government. It is incorporated separately without capital stock.
Circulation - The count of all library materials, regardless of format, that are charged out for use outside the library, including renewals.
Connecticard Circulation - The number of items a public library has loaned directly to residents of other Connecticut towns. The Connecticard program is regulated by Connecticut General Statute (C.G.S.)11-31, and accompanying regulations.
Contract Services - Library services provided by a principal public library to one or more Connecticut towns that do not have a public library. Four towns in Connecticut have no public library.
FTE - The number of full time equivalent staff positions the library has, calculated on the basis of 40 hours per week.
Library Visits - The total number of persons entering the library and its branches for whatever purpose. This number includes persons attending activities, meetings, and those persons requiring no staff services.
MLS - Master's degree from a graduate library education program accredited by the American Library Association.
Municipal Library - A public library that is established by and an administrative unit of a city or town.
Non-Principal Public Library - A town that has more than one public library must designate one as its principal public library. All other public libraries in the town are non-principal public libraries.
Off Budget Expenditures - Any library service or operation paid for directly by the Friends of the Library or other library support groups with funds not added to the library's operating budget.
Population Served - The total number of persons residing in the town in which the library is located and any other towns for which the library provides contract services. Town populations used in this report are from the estimates made as of July 1, 2006, by the State Department of Public Health.
Principal Public Library - A public library that has been so designated by a local municipal governing board. A town may have more than one public library, but it may designate only one library as its principal public library.
Public Library - Any library that serves its residents through its outlet or outlets without charging a borrower's card fee and which receives its financial support in whole or in part from local tax funds. A public library has a facility, a collection, hours open to the public, and staff.
Reference Transaction - An information contact that involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. It includes information and referral services.
Total Town Expenditures - Source: State of Connecticut Municipal Fiscal Indicators, Fiscal Years Ended 2003-2007.
Total Town Revenues - Source: State of Connecticut Municipal Fiscal Indicators, Fiscal Years Ended 2003-2007.
Town - Any of the 169 Connecticut towns listed in the Connecticut State Register and Manual issued annually by the Secretary of the State.
Wages and Salaries - Includes all wages and salaries paid from the library's budget (but not fringe benefits) for all library employees.
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