Annually, public libraries throughout the country are required to submit a statistical report to their respective state libraries. The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public.
Once the data is collected at the state level, it is reported at the federal level to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). These data, supplied annually by over 9,000 public libraries across the country since 1988, provide information that policymakers and practitioners can use to make informed decisions about the support and strategic management of libraries. The national data is available on the IMLS website. If you want to compare states, check out Library Search & Compare.
The annual collection on statistics from the state's public libraries serves two purposes:
A Public Libraries Survey must be completed and submitted electronically to the North Dakota State Library (NDSL) each year for public libraries to remain eligible to qualify for State Aid.
All surveys must be submitted to NDSL via Counting Opinions by the deadline. The 2022 reporting period will be February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024.
When reporting data, please follow these guidelines:
State Data Coordinator:
Monica Struck
mcstruck@nd.gov
North Dakota State Library
701-328-4680
Public libraries should be tracking and retaining statistics on a regular basis. Browse the resources listed below for guidance.
The Connecticut State Library has created this spreadsheet to help calculate the programs and activities a library does in a given year. It is customized for CT. If your library wishes to use it, you may need to alter some fields to make sure it is tabulating correctly for your library. Contact the State Data Coordinator with questions.