About the Library

Library Operations : Library Use in 2011

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Alert

Library Closed Monday, May 27

All locations of The Seattle Public Library and the book drops at the Central Library will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

Library Use in 2011

Statistical and Financial Summaries

Facilities

  • Central Library, 26 neighborhood branches and Mobile Services.

 

Staffing

  • 619 staff members
    (508.95 full-time equivalents)

 

2011 Circulation

  • Adult books: 3,791,589
  • Children's books: 2,302,440
  • Media (DVDs, CDs, audiobooks): 4,838,648
  • Digital/downloadable media: 640,101

Total: 11,572,778

 

2011 Collection Size

  • Central Library: 1,209,174
  • Branches: 1,066,832
  • Virtual Library: 127,687

Total: 2,403,693

 

2011 Patron Visits

  • Central Library (door count): 1,903,954 
  • Branches (door count): 4,840,802
  • Virtual visits (internal and external Web site visits): 7,594,745

Total:  14,339,501

 

2011 Service Levels and Programs

  • 986,174 reference questions answered (in person, phone, fax, mail, email, text, Live Help chat)
  • 206,837 people attended 6,433 programs at the Central Library, neighborhood branches and Mobile Services
  • 50,873 podcast downloads of Library programs

 

2011 Operating Budget

  • Personnel: $39,056,321
  • Books and Materials: $5,060,173
  • Maintenance, Security and Utilities: $1,975,123
  • Supplies: $561,844
  • Other: $3,349,347

Total: $50,002,808