These IL Libraries Had Over 500,000 Visitors In 1 Year

ILLINOIS — The Chicago area has several libraries that draw more than 500,000 visitors per year, and not all the highest-traffic locations are located in the state's biggest cities. The Public Libraries Survey report, released last week by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, provided an annual snapshot of public library use, financial health, staffing, and resources for Fiscal Year 2016. The report shows 20 Illinois libraries saw more than a half million visitors that year.

A handful even broke the 1 million mark.

Some libraries on the list should come as no surprise. The Chicago Public Library system saw the biggest number of visitors with 9,438,150 Chicago area residents utilizing the library in 2016. The Naperville Public Library followed with 1,072,956 visitors.

And though the IMLS report noted that the Arlington Heights Memorial Library had just over 650,000 visitors, library officials said that information is not accurate. The library transitioned its fiscal year that year to align with the village, which means it had an eight-month transitional budget and only provide eight months of usage data to the IMLS, Mary Hastings, director of communications and marketing for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, told Patch.

So, the library actually had 1,002,089 visitors when factoring in the full year and has consistently seen more than 1 million visitors every year since, Hastings said.

Like most other popular libraries in the suburbs, Hastings said that as a community resource, the library focuses on tailoring its materials and services to offer what its community wants. The Arlington Heights Memorial Library has done this by increasing its number of bookmobile stops and delivering books to homebound residents.

"We have a new Library of Things collection that includes things like sewing machines, a ukulele and tools for checkout," Hastings said. "We also have accessibility devices like a text reader pen, electronic magnifiers and personal hearing amplifiers for checkout."

Another popular offering is the library's Tech Learning Center, which offers information on cable cord cutting and the latest technology classes. The library even has a drive-up window.

Nearby, the Palatine Public Library District also is a popular spot. The library saw 532,365 visitors in 2016, according to the IMLS report. Since then, the library district, which also serves residents in northern Hoffman Estates and parts of Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, has seen about a 5 percent decrease in patrons, Jeannie Dilger, Palatine Public Library executive director, told Patch.

She said the downward trend in visitors is happening elsewhere as more libraries offer more online services such as downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, music and streaming movies.

"We also offer a variety of research databases and online courses that are accessible from home or on the go," Dilger added. "All of these services are available for free to our residents, providing more convenient access to our materials without needing to visit our physical buildings."

Despite all that, the library's visits per resident and materials circulation per resident "tend to be fairly high for a library of our size, especially when you factor in our relatively small budget," Dilger said. She credits the library's popularity to its excellent customer service.

"We’re often described by visitors as the friendliest library in the northwest suburbs," she said. "Our staff really do go above and beyond to offer great programs and services to our residents within our limited budget."

Local libraries are following suit with libraries across the state in offering a variety of programs for its users. Statewide, public libraries offered a million more programs in 2016 compared to 2015, according to the IMLS report.

"The PLS continues to be the backbone of research, analysis, and discussion of the current state of today's public libraries. The report showcases how public libraries are responding to community needs by offering a mix of services, as well as adapting to changing economics and budget environments," said Benjamin Sweezy, Deputy Director for the Office of Digital Information and Strategy.

Here is a look at the top 20 most visited library in Illinois:

1. CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY: 9,438,150
2. SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP DISTRICT LIBRARY: 1,550,000
3. NAPERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 1,072,956
4. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS MEMORIAL LIBRARY: 1,002,089
5. OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY: 864,712
6. GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT: 855,586
7. AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY: 839,539 visitors
8. SKOKIE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 814,065 visitors
9. CHAMPAIGN PUBLIC LIBRARY: 799,250 visitors
10. ROCKFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: 718,314 visitors
11. PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY: 714,726 visitors
12. EVANSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY: 629,032
13. EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT: 620,942
14. COOK MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT: 604,001
15. DES PLAINES PUBLIC LIBRARY: 590,284
16. ELMHURST PUBLIC LIBRARY: 579,524
17. PALATINE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT: 532,365
18. JOLIET PUBLIC LIBRARY: 514,090
19. WHEATON PUBLIC LIBRARY: 513,098
20. DOWNERS GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 510,7111

For more information about IMLS data, research, and surveys, visit imls.gov/data.