Most public libraries in Wisconsin are operated by municipalities and are funded from a combination of municipal, county, state, federal and other funds. Increases in county revenues were among the highest during all periods studied. From 1989 through 1996, they rose an average of 7.1% per year. During the next four years, increases averaged 6.3% per year and, from 2000 through 2003, they were up 6.6% annually. Under a statutory change effective in 2001, counties are required to make payments to municipal libraries of at least 70% of the cost of providing library loans to residents who live in a municipality not having a library.

The study noted that municipalities provided nearly 60% of the $207.6 million of public library revenues in 2003. Counties provided 21.4% and the state 8.2%, according to WISTAX, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to public-policy research and citizen education.

WISTAX found that compensation costs were nearly 70% of library operating expenditures. Salaries for librarians and other library staff totalled $97.9 million, or 51.6% of operating expenses. Employee benefits ($34.0 million) averaged 35% of salaries and were 17.9% of expenditures. According to WISTAX, employee benefit costs rose 9.4% per year from 2000 through 2003, nearly double the 5.4% annual increase over the prior decade. Due largely to rising benefit costs, total compensation rose 5.7% per year from 2000 through 2003. Nationally, Wisconsin library staff ranked 14th in total compensation (21st in salaries and 4th in benefits).

Spending on library materials was less than 13% of operating expenditures in 2003, and nearly two-thirds of those expenditures were for books and periodicals. However, from 1999 through 2003, spending on audiovisual materials (up 60.1%), and computer software and other electronic library materials (+27.2%) grew faster than spending on books and periodicals (+11.1%).

The WISTAX study also highlighted the highest- and lowest-spending libraries. On a per capita basis, the Madeline Island Public Library in La Pointe spent the most. Its operating expenditures were $270.03 per resident in 2003, nearly triple the next highest library (Oneida, $94.31) and eight times more than the state average ($33.36). Libraries in Wisconsin Dells ($89.62), Presque Isle ($83.57) and La Crosse ($79.45) all spent more than $75 per resident. The lowest-spending libraries were in Alma ($6.55), Fairchild ($9.17), Mondovi ($9.46) and Chilton ($9.79).

When spending was examined relative to circulation, the rankings changed. Four cities had libraries that spent more than $10 per circulation transaction: Oneida ($40.97); Keshena ($36.09); Hayward (tribal library, $16.09); and La Pointe ($11.01). The lowest-spending libraries were in Readstown ($1.14), Neillsville ($1.26), Wautoma ($1.32) and Albany ($1.34). The state average was $3.35.

Note to Editor: The following paragraph can be adapted for your local library from our website at www.wistax.org/facts

In 2003, the __________________ (library name, col. 2) spent $ ________ (col.3) per capita, ranking it _____ (col. 4) among 380 public libraries statewide. Relative to circulation, it spent $_____ per transaction (col. 5), which ranked _____ (col. 6) statewide.

In several areas, Wisconsin’s public libraries rank high nationally. In 2002, they were among the leaders in number of visits (5.74 per capita, 9th) and circulation (9.69 per capita, 8th). Ohio (6.90 visits and 14.63 circulation transactions) was first in both categories.

Wisconsin’s staffing mix differs slightly from the national norm. The state had more librarians per capita (5.48) than the U.S. (4.05). However, fewer other library staff are employed here (8.16) compared to other states (8.23).

Wisconsin has 387 public libraries organized into 17 library systems. Library systems were created in 1971 to: improve and extend library services; promote sharing of resources among libraries; and increase public access to library materials. Although only four systems were operating in 1973, the state now has 17, which combined cover all 72 counties. Wisconsin has more library systems than each of its neighbors. Iowa (7) and Illinois (9) have the fewest. Michigan and Minnesota each have 12 systems.

Most public libraries are operated by a single municipality (341) or two or more municipalities (25). Wisconsin also has six tribal libraries, seven consolidated county libraries and eight county library services. All of the state’s public libraries participate in a public library system.