The U. S. Census Bureau collects the Public Libraries Survey (PLS) data for
the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to provide statistics on
the status of public libraries in the United States. IMLS is authorized to collect
these data under the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003. The data are collected from approximately 9,100 libraries with approximiately
17,000 individual outlets in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four
outlying areas. The data includes electronic resource users, Internet terminals, reference
transactions, public service hours, interlibrary loans, circulation, library
visits, size of collections, staffing, operating revenues and expenditures and
number of service outlets. Since 1988, data collection occurs annually during December-August. The data are collected over the Internet, via a Web based reporting system.
The Web survey application includes a user guide explaining its features and
operation, the data entry form and instructions, and an edit check tool. It
was designed to minimize response burden, to improve the timeliness and quality
of the data and to minimize follow-up for data problems. IMLS provides an annual tabulation report and survey universe file that users
can download from the Internet. IMLS also provides Compare Public Libraries
and Search Public Libraries data access tools on the Web site. For additional
information, visit the IMLS
Public Libraries Web page. Provides the core statistics needed for current and historical analysis of
public libraries and their programs. These data provide the only current, national descriptive data on the status of over 9,100 public libraries. They are used by federal, state and local officials, professional associations, and local practitioners for planning, evaluation, and policy making. These data are also valuable to researchers and educators for developing conclusions concerning the state of public libraries. EXPLORE INFORMATION CONTINUE OVERVIEW
PUBLIC LIBRARIES SURVEY
PURPOSE
COVERAGE
CONTENT
FREQUENCY
METHODS
PRODUCTS
SPECIAL FEATURES
USES
RELATED PROGRAMS