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Public Libraries Survey: About the Public Libraries Survey

Provides statistics on US public libraries collected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

About the Public Libraries Survey Dataset

This dataset contains data on the resources, finances, and use of the public libraries in the United States presented by fiscal year. Data are collected in an annual survey of over 9,000 public libraries conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Please note that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted the FY2005 and earlier Public Libraries Surveys and produced the data files.

About the IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides federal funds to libraries and museums in the United States to support improvements in technology and public services. The Institute was founded in 1996 as authorized under the Museum and Library Services Act.

http://www.imls.gov/

What Do Public Libraries Survey Statistics Tell Us?

The statistics included in the Public Libraries Survey dataset provide granular detail on library administration, organization, and services. Indicators provide data on population served, expenditures for resources and capital, attendance at library programs, counts of librarians and other staff, internet usage at public libraries, and much more. Statistics are available for the nation as a whole, by state, by county, and by library, providing thousands of data points for comparison.

PLS Reference Transactions Indicator Trend View

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