Statistics
A fast, digestible snapshot of why entrepreneurship programming belongs in libraries.
Public libraries operate at national scale
IMLS describes the Public Libraries Survey as covering approximately 9,000 public libraries and 17,000 outlets. This is useful context when you are pitching programs that can be repeated across many locations.
Library internet access matters for learning new skills
Pew reports that 77% of Americans without home internet access say library computer and internet access is important for learning new skills.
Lower-income households rely on libraries for digital learning
Pew reports that among households under $30,000 in annual income, 38% say libraries help a lot with learning about new technologies.
Libraries support job pursuits where it matters most
Pew reports that among households under $30,000 in annual income, 26% say libraries help a lot with finding jobs or pursuing job training.
Libraries can mobilize quickly with partners
In ULC’s 2021 flash poll, 74% of member libraries reported pivoting services or programs to support entrepreneurs during COVID-19, and 70%+ created new partnerships to do it.
Libraries reach huge numbers of community members
IMLS reported that in FY 2017, public libraries had 1.32 billion visits and more than 172 million registered users.
Repeatable programming can scale beyond one branch
Nebraska’s Library Innovation Studios initiative reports 2,709 individuals certified to operate equipment across 35 rural and small libraries. It is a proof point that structured programs can be distributed and sustained across many sites.
Millions of adults are actively building something
GEM reports Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) at 19% in the USA, meaning about one in five adults are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurship.
Workforce and small business support is a real library lane
IMLS and COSLA studied public libraries’ role in workforce and small business development across ten library systems. The work highlights both contribution and variation in how outcomes are measured.
Libraries already run programs at massive scale
IMLS reported that public libraries offered 5.6 million programs in FY 2017, with more than 118 million attendees.