Community Vitality
Registered Library Borrowers

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Source: New York State Library

What does this measure?

The number of registered borrowers with library cards as a share of total population in an area.

Why is this important?

Community libraries have evolved into much more than a place to just borrow books. For many, libraries provide crucial online access for students, job seekers or others who may need information. Libraries also provide free or low-cost children's programming that builds early literacy skills and foster a life-long love of learning and community. Many libraries have become community gathering places for senior citizen groups, civic organizations and sometimes serve as satellite offices for easy access to state and local government functions, such as renewing a driver's license or applying for a passport.

How is our region performing?

In 2020, 55% of the region was registered as a borrower among their respective county library system, higher than the 52% statewide but a decline from the rate of 64% in 2015 and 65% in 2000. Within the region, Genesee (70%), Monroe (62%) and the City of Rochester (61%) had the highest rates, while Livingston (33%) and Wyoming (29%) had the least. Collectively, the surrounding counties had a 35-point decrease in registration since 2000, in contrast to the 4-point increase in Monroe County over the same timeframe. Most counties experienced a decrease in borrowers in 2020 likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing shutdowns.

Notes about the data

This indicator only includes library cards held by residents of the library service area. Total population reflects the population within the library service areas in the city, county or region.

Registered Library Borrowers
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
NYS52%50%49%44%51%51%52%50%50%51%47%52%52%54%56%57%57%56%62%60%52%
NYS (excluding NYC)61%62%60%54%58%59%59%58%56%58%57%63%62%62%61%61%59%56%56%56%54%
Region65%66%65%51%56%57%59%61%59%62%62%61%65%62%62%64%63%61%59%58%55%
Monroe58%67%74%57%62%63%64%68%66%68%70%58%63%64%67%70%69%67%66%65%62%
Surrounding Counties78%65%48%41%45%44%48%48%47%51%47%66%68%57%52%53%51%49%48%47%43%
Genesee92%84%90%76%70%64%64%48%37%42%46%72%76%67%66%75%78%72%73%74%70%
Livingston69%53%36%27%27%33%38%42%43%48%43%60%64%50%43%42%40%38%37%36%33%
Ontario80%60%37%37%44%47%51%54%53%57%51%70%69%55%48%47%46%45%43%40%37%
Orleans56%36%38%36%34%33%35%35%38%41%44%53%59%59%62%64%65%62%62%62%55%
Seneca68%64%57%63%81%55%55%52%55%51%43%79%58%63%60%62%52%49%53%46%43%
Wayne91%77%43%36%44%46%51%56%56%60%54%74%79%62%53%52%50%48%46%44%39%
Wyoming87%87%63%36%39%31%36%34%35%38%36%57%63%49%41%40%38%37%35%34%29%
Yates56%60%50%51%55%55%52%58%45%49%43%47%58%51%54%53%54%54%55%57%58%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester48%69%81%54%59%62%61%68%66%65%69%57%64%64%70%70%71%69%67%65%61%
Brighton60%64%68%56%61%60%64%65%64%68%72%59%61%64%66%70%69%68%68%67%65%
Chili64%64%68%58%63%62%67%67%67%72%72%62%64%67%69%70%69%67%65%64%61%
Clarkson76%77%80%56%61%61%65%69%65%70%73%61%62%85%69%69%67%64%61%59%49%
East Rochester56%74%80%65%69%70%74%72%70%74%78%63%67%70%71%73%70%69%65%64%61%
Gates74%78%83%66%72%71%76%57%72%75%78%63%124%75%79%81%80%79%77%76%71%
Greece45%55%58%45%49%50%48%60%54%54%63%50%45%55%56%62%60%59%57%55%52%
Hamlin8%51%54%44%48%49%52%55%52%55%58%52%57%60%63%65%18%17%17%17%16%
Henrietta72%74%79%65%70%72%73%79%71%77%62%51%50%53%55%70%69%54%54%55%53%
Irondequoit57%63%68%59%64%64%68%63%65%68%71%58%62%65%67%69%68%67%66%70%68%
Mendon68%62%69%58%63%64%58%70%60%65%69%69%59%65%70%72%72%72%73%73%71%
Ogden51%64%68%56%61%65%62%68%63%65%68%47%46%48%50%51%50%49%48%48%46%
Parma64%64%68%57%61%64%65%64%64%68%35%57%61%65%68%70%68%62%60%65%56%
Penfield72%66%64%53%58%58%60%62%57%59%62%51%52%54%57%63%62%64%55%63%62%
Perinton85%80%86%70%76%75%76%83%74%77%80%65%69%73%77%77%77%77%76%76%74%
Pittsford86%84%89%69%76%81%88%82%79%84%89%76%76%81%84%85%83%100%100%83%80%
Riga41%42%44%36%39%40%42%69%41%43%45%33%32%35%36%37%37%37%34%32%31%
Rush66%64%67%55%59%59%60%63%57%59%62%51%57%61%65%67%66%65%62%61%58%
Webster71%60%78%65%74%76%81%88%83%89%96%78%76%78%82%86%85%85%83%83%80%
Regional Cities
Batavia108%95%104%70%52%54%57%57%63%68%72%118%124%101%96%109%114%113%113%115%114%
Canandaigua118%64%26%35%42%47%52%57%56%61%54%78%77%61%53%52%52%51%51%50%46%
Geneva56%56%44%37%45%46%50%54%56%57%50%61%67%52%45%44%42%41%39%37%33%

Source: New York State Library
Notes: Figures per residents living in chartered service area




Number of Registered Library Borrowers
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
NYS4,531,7254,608,7134,590,0694,100,9246,209,8776,317,1506,353,9325,540,3425,504,8025,710,1555,229,1125,766,9065,880,3836,120,6266,377,7296,436,8616,519,7986,369,8057,075,7476,789,3995,921,129
NYS (excluding NYC)2,764,4202,840,3972,777,6012,516,9044,422,6444,471,0594,441,1263,666,9373,602,3453,711,2123,659,9224,050,1974,080,9484,099,1894,026,2844,015,6943,908,5973,734,4643,737,4033,700,7163,580,259
Region679,607721,212711,729565,599614,964627,377653,993686,535660,152691,845699,195685,004742,440709,459710,865732,106718,778702,041685,657673,606634,798
Monroe411,973489,030540,207413,029448,955460,058469,391498,498478,032492,546510,596422,762461,662474,894496,432515,768507,987498,004484,708477,617454,289
Surrounding Counties267,634232,182171,522152,570166,009167,319184,602188,037182,120199,299188,599262,242280,778234,565214,433216,338210,791204,037200,949195,989180,509
Genesee36,33033,45735,95730,38327,82727,94427,79421,15616,25418,38020,14131,26032,60728,90428,33332,43433,43132,71033,02933,51732,091
Livingston34,11127,36318,21313,59914,04716,92119,53621,72522,77425,07222,72731,44334,23626,75722,90422,27821,32120,48119,59319,08617,542
Ontario66,94253,46032,80132,40838,62442,50547,38851,68950,11753,91648,75266,16371,00156,67349,62048,85547,69446,50645,14043,93140,132
Orleans21,61514,73915,41414,63713,96613,59514,42314,39415,57916,91917,99521,88923,68323,40524,91425,64625,72924,76824,72524,75321,969
Seneca10,4379,4568,4709,30511,9708,0508,1137,6838,0357,4528,20414,98613,74515,05514,31914,76212,31911,58412,61610,94510,275
Wayne64,83257,57832,01727,32232,70234,70641,77045,19945,85052,01847,08864,16568,83353,68346,52645,36343,74441,85139,98738,07233,909
Wyoming22,08823,24817,97813,85315,02511,80413,66912,90313,22514,35913,86021,60823,21018,28515,23014,74614,11413,59913,02912,59611,108
Yates11,27912,88110,67211,06311,84811,79411,90913,28810,28611,1839,83210,72813,46311,80312,58712,25412,43912,53812,83013,08913,483
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester111,575152,586178,029119,559128,649136,394134,876148,370145,406142,814151,721124,376134,757135,794147,744146,358149,675144,946141,200136,045128,083
Brighton20,72522,77724,30819,90521,60121,35022,79023,00222,91724,25525,62321,05222,24223,48224,24225,79225,33524,94624,74224,70123,907
Chili16,11917,65518,89415,92217,34817,26718,55318,50418,62719,95619,85417,18118,24719,10719,87919,93419,63219,23818,69018,34017,565
Clarkson14,29415,21015,87611,14212,15411,97912,86013,57012,85713,75514,52212,10913,05617,84714,45514,45913,92213,48312,78812,31810,271
East Rochester3,9054,9315,3514,3014,6134,6324,9444,7694,6414,9535,2154,1964,3894,6024,7094,7764,6384,5504,3114,2404,014
Gates21,12222,74224,42519,43521,14220,79322,14916,62820,94821,96422,94718,46635,22021,38122,51323,09922,63622,39321,92921,50920,251
Greece40,36551,40554,85642,28446,26946,99445,15756,65350,53850,90058,86846,74543,35552,38653,39259,21157,19056,25454,45752,72750,105
Hamlin7084,7585,0374,1354,5294,5904,8665,1884,8335,1675,4534,8975,1515,4195,7255,8911,5841,5631,5521,5221,405
Henrietta26,36928,80830,91325,24027,40427,91728,64630,80927,76729,89924,09319,73221,16322,53723,58229,86729,30523,20222,81223,41422,683
Irondequoit30,47333,16435,54530,83733,46333,39435,58033,13434,03735,67137,06330,32132,08333,55534,54935,55135,20334,65934,07136,30234,988
Mendon4,6475,2245,7444,8415,2335,3844,8735,8625,0535,4525,7635,7875,4295,9626,3936,6296,5796,6246,6596,6946,495
Ogden8,69811,83312,53610,31511,33212,04111,55612,48411,57312,08312,5838,6979,1719,5959,90810,18510,0199,6929,4449,4339,118
Parma8,8379,51010,0298,4349,0059,5449,5969,5369,46210,0495,1658,5039,51110,22310,65510,95510,6349,6359,42910,0978,823
Penfield21,82023,02422,20318,47220,01119,94120,72321,48519,62920,49821,47217,72418,68319,55920,54622,94222,33423,03920,03022,94722,429
Perinton31,59732,15134,35328,05830,35330,13530,45733,44429,78830,68132,07326,13327,90729,24030,75930,94130,91130,85330,71330,59129,636
Pittsford21,05022,82624,27518,86420,74421,99423,99822,42921,48922,93524,19520,70422,23323,78224,83425,07624,53629,38729,27424,31923,594
Riga2,1072,2652,4111,9462,1082,2012,2783,7462,2302,3362,4431,8161,7961,9522,0372,0642,0932,0431,8801,8091,733
Rush2,1382,3032,4071,9842,1412,1302,1712,2782,0472,1332,2401,8551,9952,1382,2712,3292,2952,2702,1682,1232,032
Webster22,52722,72529,67024,57828,06028,84230,63733,54931,62233,85336,42029,75632,38833,29035,11836,51136,41636,07335,48335,43934,253
Regional Cities
Batavia20,66918,32320,00213,47210,08210,32110,89210,92412,04013,04713,86322,77623,56519,21318,22220,85221,80521,46121,52021,90021,776
Canandaigua25,57915,2336,1448,2949,93711,16912,31313,54613,23514,45612,80718,45119,82815,76213,75113,42413,26513,18313,06012,94111,959
Geneva9,6539,5397,4446,3127,6757,7208,9689,61610,01710,1718,97010,94711,7899,0337,7977,6867,4217,1766,7996,3865,705

Source: New York State Library











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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