1. A Brief History of the Federal Public Library Survey

2. How it all began:
The Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS) for public library data began in 1986 with a small group including NCES, NCLIS, ALA and a few researchers.
From the ACTION PLAN for the FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY DATA:
Since the establishment of the U.S. Office of Education in 1867 and its early efforts to collect library data, various groups have undertaken a variety of public library data collection activities. In 1965, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) was established and given the responsibility for the further national Collection, analysis, and reporting of all education statistics.
A 1984 ALA Office for Research study, done for NCES, showed that all 50 state library agencies collect statistics annually from public libraries in their states. The data elements collected are similar, but specific elements and some definitions differ from one state to another.
In 1985, a pilot project, supported by the OERI Division of library Programs and NCES, worked with a small group of states to explore the feasibility of developing a national system to collect and publish public library data. The experience with the pilot project states indicates that the development of a cooperative system for public library data is feasible, and NCLIS and NCES are jointly sponsoring the development work necessary to establish the structure required by such a system.
One of the initial steps in the process was the establishment of a Task Force, comprised of policy planners in statistics and public libraries at the Federal, state, local, and professional association levels and charged to develop an Action Plan for the project. Several Working Groups, comprised of Task Force members, were formed to address specific issues. The Task Force has met monthly, beginning in March 1988.
To determine the scope of public library service in this country, and for NCES to sort and categorize data about public library services appropriately, a Universe File of all public library entities was developed. This Universe File, in addition to identifying all types of entities providing public library service, allows comparisons between like entities, and facilitate the collection of data through sampling.

3. How it all began:
Jan Feye-Stukas (former SDC, MN) was first FSCS Steering Committee chair.
Darla Cottrill (former SDC, OH) was vice-chair.
Steering committee changed subcommittee purpose to accommodate the survey:
Jan 1991: Definitions, Technical
Jan : Definitions, Data Use, Techical
Jan : Definitions, Training, Data Use, Technical
Jan : Training, Data Elements, Data Use, Data Collection
Mar /2008: Data Elements, Data Conference, Data Use, Data Collection
There were chairs of each subcommittees and in December 2004 a vice chair was added to each subcommittee.
There were 4 directors of the Library Statistics Program at NCLIS: John G. Lorenz, Denise M. Davis, Robert E. Molyneux and Neal K. Kaske.
Mary Jo Lynch represented ALA until her retirement in December 2003; Denise Davis represents ALA since September 2004
Director, Office for Research and Statistics.
COSLA reps have been:
1991-6/1996: Joseph Shubert, NY State Librarian Emeritus
9/1996-3/1997: Tom Sloan, former DE Chief Officer
3/ /2002: Barratt Wilkins, former FL Chief Officer
3/2003-3/2004: J.D. Waggoner, WV Chief Officer
3/ /2008: Suzanne Miller, MN Chief Officer

4. Current LSWG under IMLS:
The committee began last December.
Members of the IMLS Library Statistics Working Group will each serve three year terms (staggered). IMLS will seek nominations to the working group from the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the State Data Coordinators (at the annual SDC meeting), and from national library associations. IMLS will chair the working group and ensure that the staff of the U.S. Bureau of Census participates in meetings as needed.
The Working Group will include:
- Up to five Chief Officers of state library agencies (IMLS will appoint members based on recommendations from COSLA);
- Five state data coordinators who will also act as mentors to other SDCs. (IMLS will appoint SDCs based on a SDC nominating process which will conclude prior to the annual state data coordinators conference; and)
- Up to five members who will represent relevant library associations, data users, and members of the research community (IMLS will appoint these members based on recommendations from national library service organizations and others).
December 2008: Three SDCs remained on the committee from the former Steering Committee and 2 new committee members were elected to serve on the new LSWG.
Federal staff includes IMLS and Census

5. How it all works:
The collection process has evolved over time. PLS started with DECTOP & PLUS installed on a PC. Then came DECPLUS. With the Windows operating system came WinPLUS and for FY 2005 data collection the PLS began using a web based submission tool called WebPLUS.
Policy and Procedures for review of data elements: This procedure has gone through several edits since it began. The document is posted on the PLSC wiki.
There are 3 reporting groups for the survey beginning in January each year
Group 1 – final due date is mid April
Group 2 – final due date is beginning of August
Group 3 – final due date is end of August
There is an annual SDC conference usually held in December of each year. There is a ½ day session for new SDCs followed by a 2 1/2 day conference for all SDCs. A one day meeting for the Library Statistics Working Group follows the SDC conference. The LSWG meets face to face twice a year.

6. How it all works:
PLS follows the data element life cycle.

7. What’s in it for you:
In March 1992, the former FSCS Steering Committee established a mentoring system, under which all State Data Coordinators would have available to them, more closely and immediately, Public Library Survey program information, advice consultation, and any other available assistance, in the interest for Public Library Survey improvement and development. The mentoring system involves the 5 SDC members of the current Library Statistics Working Group, taking responsibility of communicating with and assisting other State and Territorial Data Coordinators.
The Keppel Awards began in 1991 for FY1990 data submission. IMLS presents the Keppel Award to the Data Coordinators and Chief Officers of State library agencies that have excelled in the completeness, promptness, and high quality of the local public library data that they collect, edit, and submit annually to IMLS. The Francis Keppel Award is named after a distinguished U.S. Commissioner of Education who served from 1962 to He was also a well-known member of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science from 1978 to 1983.

8. What’s available:
Compare tool:
Search tool:
Wiki:
lists: &
PLS data (fiscal years ) posted on Data.gov.  
StLA Survey FY2006-FY2007. 

9. New Initiatives IMLS Other Research Use Research Briefs Data Notes
ALA Issue Briefs
Library Journal America’s Star Libraries
Hennen Rating of Public Libraries
Data Note No. 1: Libraries Use Broadband Internet Service to Serve High Need Communities (PDF) March 2009 Description: The first Data Note to be released by IMLS presents recent statistics on broadband Internet access in U.S. public libraries. It discusses how libraries use technology and provide content to meet the needs of patrons in the digital age.
Research Brief No. 1: Service Trends in U.S. Public Libraries, (PDF) December 2009 Description: The first Research Brief identifies important changes public libraries have made to address patron needs in an increasingly Internet-centric environment and explores service differences in urban and rural communities.
Research Brief No. 2: State Library Agency Service Trends: 1999–2008 March 2010 Description: The second Research Brief gives an overview of the revenues, expenditures, and services provided by state library agencies (StLAs) during fiscal year (FY) 2008.
Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (PDF) March 2010 Year: 2010 Description:Conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and IMLS, this report is based on the first large-scale study of who uses public computers and Internet access in public libraries.