Connecting people with information through libraries Per Capita State Aid and Statistics Bob Keith Data Coordinator New Jersey State Library Connecting people with information through libraries 1
Why do we collect statistics? Local Compare libraries to each other Track trends Are the community’s needs being met? Required by law (N.J.S.A 18A:74-11) for state aid State Compliance with minimum standards Determine what services libraries need Federal Researchers, journalists, and policymakers Planning and policy making at the national level Connecting people with information through libraries 2
How are statistics collected? Annual Survey About one third of the questions are from IMLS - * Data are sent to IMLS for analysis and publication – PLS PLS has one of the highest response rates in the federal statistical system Other questions are crafted by NJSL to determine compliance with minimum standards or for research purposes Connecting people with information through libraries 3
PCSA in brief Reward to municipalities and counties for providing good library service – not a grant $3,639,240 – about one third of full funding N.J.S.A. 18A:74-1 Structure of the program and how funds are dispersed N.J.A.C. 15:21-1 Minimum standards to qualify 3 steps to apply Annual Survey – library Accuracy Certification – library Application for State Aid – municipality or county per_capita_state_aid/ per_capita_state_aid/ Connecting people with information through libraries 4
Statistics at NJSL Survey data back to 2003 Statistics and Analysis books back to rces/statistics/public_libraries/ rces/statistics/public_libraries/ Connecting people with information through libraries 5
IMLS Compare Libraries Tool Create reports comparing one library to others Compare on a variety of factors Connecting people with information through libraries 6
Other library surveys PLDS – Public Library Data Service – PLA Digital Inclusion Survey – UMD & IMLS Connecting people with information through libraries 7
Questions? Connecting people with information through libraries 8