Non-Book Items in U.S. Public Libraries

Abstract

Libraries tend to be associated with books, but in practice they have lent a variety of media to meet the interests and media practices of their users. Early in the twentieth century, public libraries circulated images, e.g. photographs, prints, and lantern slides. They also lent music scores and player piano rolls. Early in the twenty-first century, audio recordings and video disks account for roughly 25% of public libraries' total circulation. Libraries have adapted to media change in the past and they are likely to continue to adapt to media change in the future.