The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published the ARL Statistics 2024, ARL Academic Health Sciences Library Statistics 2024, and ARL Academic Law Library Statistics 2024.
These three publications present information describing the collections, expenditures, staffing, and service activities of 123 of the Association’s 125 member libraries in 2024. The survey illustrates the alignment between library expenditures and resources they support. Of these 123 members, 118 are university libraries (16 in Canada and 102 in the US); the remaining 5 are governmental and nonprofit libraries in the US. The law and health sciences publications focus on the 71 law libraries and 60 medical libraries among the Association’s membership that completed the law and health sciences surveys.
ARL libraries are a relatively small subset of research libraries in Canada and the United States, but they represent a significant share of academic library resources both in the scale of their assets and the number of users they serve. Members rely on these data to demonstrate their operations and show how resources are used responsibly to deliver lasting value to their communities. The total expenditures (in US dollars) of all 123 reporting libraries in 2024 was $4.4 billion. In the same year, 31,425 full-time equivalent staff in ARL libraries made approximately 5.5 million contacts with their user communities through group presentations and reference transactions.
ARL Statistics Purchase Options
The ARL Statistics, ARL Academic Health Sciences Library Statistics, and ARL Academic Law Library Statistics are available in both print and online formats.
Print Format
ARL Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 133 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-61-6
$175 ($90 ARL members)
ARL Academic Health Sciences Library Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 57 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-65-4
$140 ($70 ARL members)
ARL Academic Law Library Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 61 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-63-0
$140 ($70 ARL members)
Online Format
Access is available by password or IP range.
ARL Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 133 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-62-3
$175 (free for ARL members)
ARL Academic Health Sciences Library Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 57 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-66-1
$140 (free for ARL members)
ARL Academic Law Library Statistics 2024
Anam Mian and Holly Gross
2025 • 61 pages
ISBN 978-1-948964-64-7
$140 (free for ARL members)
Password access to the ARL Statistics 2024, ARL Academic Health Sciences Library Statistics 2024, and ARL Academic Law Library Statistics 2024 can be purchased online with a credit card.
Order online IP access and print copies from:
ARL Publications Distribution Center
PO Box 531
Annapolis Junction MD 20701-0531
Phone: 301-362-8196
Fax: 240-396-2479
Email: arl@brightkey.net
Shipping and Handling
US: UPS Ground, $10/publication
Canada: UPS Ground, $15/per publication
International and Rush Orders: Call 301-362-8196 or email arl@brightkey.net for a quote.
Payment by check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa is accepted. Make check or money order payable in US funds to the Association of Research Libraries, Federal ID #52-0784198-N.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit membership organization of research libraries and archives in major public and private universities, federal government agencies, and large public institutions in Canada and the US. ARL champions research libraries and archives, develops visionary leaders, and shapes policy for the equitable advancement of knowledge.
