How The Annual Report Program Began
Public Libraries Statistics Cooperative (PLSC) for Public Library Data
WebPLUS User’s Guide Version 1.3 (IMLS, U.S. Census Bureau)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has administered the Public Library Survey since October 1, 2007. From its inception in 1989 through 2007, this survey was administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The Institute collects this data through the Public Library Statistics Cooperative. It is collected under the mandate in the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 as stated in SEC. 210. Current, accurate and ongoing collection of library data is an essential foundation for quality library services in the United States. The Institute is committed to the continued excellence of this program.
Background
In 1985, the NCES and the American Library Association (ALA) conducted a pilot project in 15 states to assess the feasibility of a federal-state cooperative program for collecting public library data. The project was jointly funded by NCES and the U.S. Department of Education's former Library Programs (LP) office. In 1987, the project's final report recommended the development of a nationwide data collection system. The Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Amendments of 1988 (P.L. 100-297)1 charged NCES with
developing a voluntary Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS) for the annual collection of public library data. The NCES and the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) formed a task force to carry out this mandate, and the FSCS was established in 1988.
FSCS Steering Committee
The 1988 NCES-NCLIS task force evolved into the FSCS Steering Committee. This Committee has been integral to the design and conduct of the survey. Its membership has included State Data Coordinators (SDCs), representatives of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the NCLIS, the ALA, the IMLS, the U.S. Census Bureau (the data collection agent), and the NCES. With the transition of the collection from NCES to IMLS the steering committee was renamed the Public Library Statistics Cooperative (PLSC). Effective December 2008, this committee will become part of the new Library Statistics Working Group.
State Data Coordinators
State Data Coordinators (SDCs) (appointed by COSLA) submit data for the annual "Public Libraries Survey" for a universe of over 9,000 public libraries in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas. The IMLS will release the collection results in an annual data file (the only national database on public libraries) as well as a report based on the survey.
The data are used for planning, research, evaluation, and policymaking decisions by federal, state, and local officials, professional associations, researchers, educators, local practitioners, and other interested users.
Your information is important!
No matter how small your library is, how many hours it is open or how many people you serve!
Please complete your annual report.
Deadline: April 1, 2009
