Libraries & Archives
Description
Organizations in this industry provide library or archive services, maintaining collections of print and electronic documents (such as books, journals, newspapers, and music) and facilitating their use for informational, research, educational, or recreational purposes. Major libraries and archives include the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the New York Public Library (all based in the US), as well as the British Library, Library Archives Canada, and the Russian State Library.
The world is home to about 315,000 public libraries, according to the British Council. About 75% of libraries are located in developing and transitioning countries.
The US libraries and archives industry includes 2,000 establishments with combined annual revenue of about $2 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by population. The success of libraries and archives depends on efficient operations and consistent funding. Large organizations may benefit from economies of scale in purchasing and administration. Small organizations can succeed by specializing or by serving an engaged community.
Libraries and archives compete with other nonprofit organizations for public and private funding and with other personal and professional obligations for volunteers. Libraries compete with bookstores for consumer access to books and reading-related programming, and with the internet, TV, museums, and parks for consumer leisure time.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
School libraries account for about 80% of US libraries, according to the American Library Association (ALA). Public libraries, established under state laws to serve a community, district, or region, account for about 15%. Other libraries serve colleges and universities, units of the armed forces, businesses, law firms, religious institutions, medical organizations (hospitals, laboratories), and government agencies. Other revenue sources are from the offering of library and archive services and licensing of rights to use intellectual property.
Lending libraries have varied collections of print, audiovisual, and digital materials available for circulation -- lending to customers. Reference libraries typically restrict their collections to viewing on the library premises. Reference libraries may include archives, which acquire, preserve, and generally make accessible historical documents, photographs, maps, audiovisual material, and other material of historical interest. Most libraries include both lending and reference material. Libraries also provide program services, such as book clubs, readings, author events, and education and skills training along with exhibitions of art, photographs, and information on a variety of subjects.
A public library system often consists of a main library (or central library) along with smaller branch locations located within the same municipality. The average collection size across all public libraries is about 128,000 items, including traditional books, journals, and newspapers, as well as CDs, DVDs, and e-books. Print materials still make up most of public libraries' collections, though libraries continue to expand their audio, video, and digital holdings.
Many libraries use Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) numerical system that organizes holdings by user groups or materials, such as fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. However, some are abandoning the DDC for newer protocols that take into account attributes such as size. Print books are stored in areas called stacks, which differ from reading areas. Librarians and other staff members answer questions from users at a reference desk. A modern library typically requires a collection of materials, varied programming, digital access, and knowledgeable staff.
The world is home to about 315,000 public libraries, according to the British Council. About 75% of libraries are located in developing and transitioning countries.
The US libraries and archives industry includes 2,000 establishments with combined annual revenue of about $2 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by population. The success of libraries and archives depends on efficient operations and consistent funding. Large organizations may benefit from economies of scale in purchasing and administration. Small organizations can succeed by specializing or by serving an engaged community.
Libraries and archives compete with other nonprofit organizations for public and private funding and with other personal and professional obligations for volunteers. Libraries compete with bookstores for consumer access to books and reading-related programming, and with the internet, TV, museums, and parks for consumer leisure time.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
School libraries account for about 80% of US libraries, according to the American Library Association (ALA). Public libraries, established under state laws to serve a community, district, or region, account for about 15%. Other libraries serve colleges and universities, units of the armed forces, businesses, law firms, religious institutions, medical organizations (hospitals, laboratories), and government agencies. Other revenue sources are from the offering of library and archive services and licensing of rights to use intellectual property.
Lending libraries have varied collections of print, audiovisual, and digital materials available for circulation -- lending to customers. Reference libraries typically restrict their collections to viewing on the library premises. Reference libraries may include archives, which acquire, preserve, and generally make accessible historical documents, photographs, maps, audiovisual material, and other material of historical interest. Most libraries include both lending and reference material. Libraries also provide program services, such as book clubs, readings, author events, and education and skills training along with exhibitions of art, photographs, and information on a variety of subjects.
A public library system often consists of a main library (or central library) along with smaller branch locations located within the same municipality. The average collection size across all public libraries is about 128,000 items, including traditional books, journals, and newspapers, as well as CDs, DVDs, and e-books. Print materials still make up most of public libraries' collections, though libraries continue to expand their audio, video, and digital holdings.
Many libraries use Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) numerical system that organizes holdings by user groups or materials, such as fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. However, some are abandoning the DDC for newer protocols that take into account attributes such as size. Print books are stored in areas called stacks, which differ from reading areas. Librarians and other staff members answer questions from users at a reference desk. A modern library typically requires a collection of materials, varied programming, digital access, and knowledgeable staff.
Table of Contents
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Business Trends
- Industry Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Web Links and Acronyms
Pricing
Currency Rates
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