Report finds thousands of public libraries with a building system in poor condition

WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA) today welcomed the release of a major national study about the condition of public library buildings. The study was conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan federal research agency, at the request of Congress. ALA advocated for the study to be undertaken. 

The GAO report provides the first comprehensive national data in decades about the state of the nation’s library facilities. Nationwide, there are more than 17,000 public library locations, totaling more than 200 million square feet of buildings, which Americans visit more than 800 million times each year.

“Every community deserves a great public library,” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “Unfortunately, in many parts of America today, the local public library building falls short of what the community needs.”  

Key findings in the report include:  

• An estimated 38 percent (about 6,000) of the nation’s public libraries have at least one building system, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), in poor condition
• An estimated 61 percent, or 9,800 libraries, have at least one building system or feature that poses a potential health or safety concern
• An estimated 70 percent (about 11,200 libraries) have a backlog of deferred maintenance and repair
• An estimated 71 percent of public libraries cited construction costs, such as labor and materials, and limited funding availability, as key challenges to addressing maintenance and repairs 

"Investments in library facilities should be proportionate to the central role they play in learning, connection and opportunity for so many people. Libraries are where Americans go for answers and support to do life - find a job, learn to parent, finish homework, start a business, get some peace and quiet. 

"In times of emergency, entire communities, including federal first responders, lean on public library spaces for computers and a reliable internet connection, access to food, water, shelter and even help accessing disaster relief funds. As community anchors, library buildings themselves need to withstand the emergencies that their communities face."  

ALA thanks Members of Congress for their support of the study, including Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Susan Collins (ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Ben Ray Luján (NM), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Patty Murray (WA), Jack Reed (RI), Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Ron Wyden (OR), and Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Tom Cole (OK-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). 

About the American Library Association  

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services.   

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