Library Statistics

Overview: Library Statistics

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) sponsor surveys about libraries.
The U.S. Census Bureau acts as the collection agent for these surveys, but the data themselves are available through the sponsoring agency.

The data provided to the IMLS and the NCES are used for a wide range of purposes including research, policy development, and legislative action.

IMLS—sponsored surveys

NCES—sponsored surveys

Guide to Data Collections Libraries

Sponsor	Survey Title	Frequency	Contents	Coverage
Institute of Museum and Library Services	Public Libraries Survey	Annual	-reference transactions -public service hours -circulation -library visits -size of collections -staffing -operating income and expenditures -electronic technology -number and type of library outlets	States, DC, Territories
	State Library Agencies Survey	Annual	-direct library services -library development services -organizational and governance structure of an agency -resources assigned to allied operations such as archives or records management -electronic networking -staffing -collections -expenditures	States, DC
National Center for Education Statistics	Academic Libraries Survey	Biennial	-reference transactions per typical week -public service hours -number of library staff (measured as full—time equivalent) -circulation -total operating expenditures -patron count -electronic services offered -services outlets -total volumes held at end of academic year	States, DC, Territories