Public Libraries Survey: Public Libraries Survey in Sage Data

Sage Data is available via IP (and proxy server) authentication at https://data.sagepub.com/. The Sage Data interface allows users to browse available datasets by subject and source and to manipulate variables to create customized views of the data, as well as to search for statistics of interest via Search.

(EZproxy users, please visit here.)

In Sage Data, the 52 time series included in the Public Libraries Survey dataset can be viewed for the United States as a whole, by state, by county, or by individual library. Find the data by selecting the source name "Institute of Museum and Library Services" in the Browse by Source listing. The chart below shows the trend over time in the size of the downloadable audio collections of Adair County Public Library of Missouri.

You can also compare statistics across states, counties, and libraries. Simply select the geographic area of listing and indicator of listing in the menu listings. The trend display below provides an infographic comparing trends in the amount of operating revenue received from the state government by public libraries in four southwestern states.

You can also compare across indicators in other datasets. The possibilities are myriad! Keep in mind that the graphs you create do not necessarily imply causality: the results may suggest a potential relationship between the variables you select, which may be an interesting line of inquiry for your own research.

For more information on using Sage Data, see https://data-planet.libguides.com/statisticaldatasets .