Palaces for Some People? Inequity in Library Access and Services across the United States

• In Event: 30821 - Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 15

Abstract

It is broadly recognized that libraries are vital social and public infrastructure. Given their importance, disparities in access warrants attention. Using national 2021 data from the Institute of Public Library and Museum Services (IPLMS) Public Libraries Survey (PLS) and the US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year, this research uses quantitative methods to investigate place disparities in public libraries access and services across the United States. Results showed significant patterns and disparities in communities’ library access. For example, there is a significant positive association between the county percentage of white residents and the predicted odds of having a library in the county. Additionally, libraries in more rural census tracts were open significantly less hours, and had less funding, staff, and programs than those in more urban tracts. The findings demonstrate key inequities in library access.

Authors

• Sadie Ridgeway, Goucher College

• Aleksey Reshetnikov, United Way of Central Maryland, Inc.

• Jayla Parker, Goucher College