Pennsylvania’s libraries are in great demand and have valuable resources to offer citizens of all ages and from all walks of life. Based on the most recent statewide data, PA Libraries:

• Served more than 47 million visitors
• Conducted 179,546 programs for children, parents, entrepreneurs, senior citizens, and students
• Aided more than 302,000 jobseekers through:
  - online access to jobs databases at 82% of our locations
  - assistance with online job applications at 70% of our locations
  - software and other job resources to help customers create resumes and employment materials at 60% of our locations

PA Forward will position public libraries as an essential resource to a growing customer base of private and municipal organizations and individuals. It will also position libraries as high-quality early learning providers that ultimately save taxpayer dollars otherwise needed for remedial programs.

A 2006 statewide survey conducted by the University of North Carolina in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh concluded that for every $10 invested in public libraries, $55 is returned to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

If public libraries didn’t exist, the study said, the economic loss to our communities across the Commonwealth would total nearly $1.34 billion.  That’s 5.5 times what we dedicate annually in local, state, and federal taxes for public libraries.