Comprehensive guide to public, academic, and state library systems across all 50 states. Access free resources, digital collections, and interlibrary loan services nationwide.
The United States maintains one of the world's most extensive library networks, with over 9,000 public libraries serving communities nationwide through 16,568 physical locations including main libraries, branches, and bookmobiles. State libraries function as central hubs for each state's library services, administering federal grants through the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Grants to States program, preserving official state documents and historical records, and supporting networks of public, academic, and school libraries.
The American Library Association (ALA) serves as the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services. State library agencies work together through COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies), an independent organization established in 1973 to provide leadership on issues of common concern and national interest.
Library funding in the United States varies significantly by state, with New York spending approximately $69 per capita (2018) compared to Mississippi's $16.42, representing more than a four-fold difference. Local governments provide 86% of all library revenues, while state governments contribute less than 7%, and federal funding makes up the remainder.
Official state library websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia:
Count: 9,025 libraries (16,568 locations including branches and bookmobiles)
Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and the general public "from cradle to grave." Their mandate is to serve the general public's information needs rather than the needs of a particular school or research population. Services include lending books, digital resources, community programs, computer access, and educational support.
Hours: Average 60.5 hours/week (DC) to 29.6 hours/week (Maine)
Largest: Harvard Library (20 million holdings)
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff, and faculty. Larger institutions may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and science libraries.
Top Collections: Harvard (20M), Yale (12.8M), UC Berkeley (11.5M), University of Michigan (10.8M), UT Austin (10M)
Count: Approximately 6,357 special libraries or information centers
Special libraries provide specialized information resources on a particular subject and serve a specialized clientele. Types include corporate libraries, government libraries, law libraries, medical libraries, museum libraries, military libraries, and news libraries.
Professional Organizations: Medical Library Association (1898), American Association of Law Libraries (1906), Special Libraries Association (1909)
Size: 173 million items (world's largest library)
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States and serves as the de facto national library. Collections include over 39 million books, 14.8 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music, and 72 million manuscripts.
Daily Acquisitions: Receives 15,000 items each working day, adding 10,000+ to collections
Most libraries offer free digital resources through your library card, providing 24/7 access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music.
Online Pre-Registration: Many libraries allow you to complete pre-registration online, then bring required documents to library to activate card.
As of fiscal year 2020, there are 9,025 public libraries in the United States, operating through 16,568 stationary service outlets (8,852 central libraries and 7,716 branch libraries) plus 679 bookmobiles. Of these, 7,330 are single-outlet libraries and 1,727 are multiple-outlet library systems serving communities nationwide.
The Library of Congress in Washington, DC, is the largest library in the world with approximately 173 million items. Founded in 1800, it holds over 39 million books and printed materials, 14.8 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music, and 72 million manuscripts. The library receives 15,000 items each working day and adds more than 10,000 items to its collections daily.
Yes, through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services. Your local library can request books, articles, and materials from libraries across the United States and even internationally through systems like OCLC WorldShare. ILL is a core library service offered free of charge at most libraries. Digital materials may be delivered directly to your email, while physical items typically arrive at your library within 1-2 weeks.
Most libraries provide free access to OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla Digital for ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, TV shows, and music. OverDrive offers the largest selection but popular titles may have holds, while Hoopla provides instant access with no waiting, typically allowing 7 borrows per month. Additional digital resources include online databases, learning platforms like Lynda.com, language learning software, genealogy research tools, and streaming services.
Library hours vary significantly by location. The District of Columbia has the highest average at 60.5 hours per week, while Maine has the lowest at 29.6 hours per week. Most libraries operate Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm, though schedules vary by branch. Many libraries offer extended evening and weekend hours to accommodate working patrons.
Public library funding comes primarily from local governments (86% of revenues), with state governments contributing less than 7% and federal funding making up the remainder. As of 2019, average per capita public library spending was $41.90, though this varies dramatically by state. New York spent approximately $69 per capita while Mississippi spent $16.42, representing more than a four-fold difference between highest and lowest spending states.
COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) is an independent organization established in 1973 comprising the chief officers of state and territorial agencies designated as the state library administrative agency. COSLA provides leadership on issues of common concern and national interest, fosters state library agency relationships with the federal government and national organizations, and initiates cooperative action for improving library services. Membership includes all 50 states, DC, US territories, and Canadian provinces and territories.
Approximately 6,357 special libraries or information centers operate in the United States, including corporate libraries (serving company staff), law libraries (attached to law schools, firms, and courts), medical libraries (at hospitals and medical schools), museum libraries, military libraries, news libraries, and government libraries. These specialized facilities provide targeted information resources and services to specific clientele. Professional organizations include the Medical Library Association (founded 1898), American Association of Law Libraries (1906), and Special Libraries Association (1909).
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a program of the Library of Congress established in 1931, provides free library services through a network of 55 regional libraries, 26 subregional libraries, and 13 advisory and outreach centers serving all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Guam. More than 21.5 million copies of braille, audio, and large print items circulated in fiscal year 2021. Services are completely free to eligible individuals who are blind or have print disabilities.
Harvard Library is the largest university library in the United States and the largest research library in the world, with approximately 20 million holdings (21.8 million catalogued items including 18.7 million physical items and 3.1 million electronic titles). Other major university libraries include University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (14+ million volumes), Yale University (12.8 million), UC Berkeley (11.5 million), University of Michigan (10.8 million), and University of Texas at Austin (10 million volumes).
Last updated on November 27, 2025