Discover the 7 Largest Libraries in the U.S

According to the American Library Association (ALA), there are about 117,341 libraries in the U.S. This number includes academic, school, and public libraries. With so many libraries, it can be hard to determine which are the largest. You can list the libraries by the size of the population served with total collection expenditures, holdings, and library visits. For this article, we’re listing the libraries by circulation. Follow along to discover the 7 largest libraries in the U.S.

New York Public Library

The largest library in the U.S. by circulation, according to data from 2016, is the New York Public Library in New York. In 2016, the New York Public Library had a total circulation of 22,665,133. This library is impressive. It’s also considered the largest library by holdings. Within the total collection are 25,271,223 items. The New York Public Library also made ALA’s list of the top 25 public libraries by library visits. In 2016, they received over 17.4 million visits.

The New York Public Library was established on May 23, 1895. There are currently 92 branches. This public library system served about 3.5 million people.

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Second on our list of the largest libraries in the U.S. is the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in Ohio. This large library had a total circulation of 21.6 million in 2016. What about the library’s total visits? In the same year, this public library saw about 6.1 million visits, making it the 15th largest public library in the country by visitation. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is also the second largest library in the U.S. by holdings with a total collection of 11.7 million.

This public library system was established on March 14, 1853. It serves a population of a little over 800,000. 

King County Library System

The third largest library in the U.S. by total circulation is the King County Library System in Washington. In 2016, this large public library system had a total circulation of 20.7 million. This wasn’t its only incredible record. The King County Library System was also the 17th largest public library by size of population served with total collection expenditures. The library’s total collection expenditures were $13,960,740. It also ranks 13th by holdings. The King County Library System had a total collection of nearly 4 million.

The King County Library System is a busy library system established in 1942. It has 50 branches and serves a population of about 1.4 million.

Multnomah County Library

The next largest library is Multnomah County Library in Oregon. In 2016, this library had a total circulation of 19.2 million, including renewals. 

This library system was established in 1864 and has 19 branches. It serves about 724,000 people and has over 420,000 members.

Los Angeles Public Library

Fifth on our list is the Los Angeles Public Library in California. This large library system had a total circulation of 16.3 million in 2016. In the same year, it was also the second-largest public library in the country by library visits with 13.5 million visits. The library visits per capita was 3.35. What about by holdings? When ranking public libraries by holdings, the Los Angeles Public Library is in fourth place. In 2016, the library had a total collection of 16.7 million.

The Los Angeles Public Library has a long history. It was established over a century ago in 1872. The library has 72 branches and serves over 4 million people.

Cuyahoga Public Library

Also on our list is the Cuyahoga Public Library in Ohio with a total circulation of 16.2 million. It was nearly fifth place on our list! In 2016 though, it didn’t make any other large library list by the ALA.

Cuyahoga Public Library serves the Greater Cleveland area. This public library system was established in 1922 and has 27 branches.

Columbus Metropolitan Library

Last but not least is the Columbus Metropolitan Library. This library system had a total circulation of about 16 million in 2016. It’s also located in Ohio. The Columbus Metropolitan Library also made the list of the top 25 public libraries by library visits. They rank 23rd with 5.317 million library visits.

Columbus Metropolitan Library was established over 150 years ago in 1873. There are about 23 branches that serve nearly 900,00 people.

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