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Data & Statistics

Resources to support assessment and evaluation, including library statistics and data tools.

National Public Library Statistics for Download

Recent national public library statistics in CSV format are available for download below and on the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) website. Historic data (FY14 and prior) and data in SAS or SPSS formats can be accessed on the IMLS Public Libraries Survey website.

This data represents the national results of the annual Public Libraries Survey. The data covers all states and territories, and represents all responding administrative entities (AEs) and their corresponding outlets. Data is organized by type and fiscal year below. Each ZIP folder contains one file for administrative entities (AE) and one file for outlets. Each year also includes a Documentation & User Guide file, available for separate download.

Note: There is a lag between data collection and publication. Currently, the latest available national data is from FY2021.

IMLS Annual Reports & State Profiles

Recent summary reports using national Public Libraries Survey data, as well as recent Maryland state profiles, are available for download below and on the Institute of Museum & Library Services website. Historic reports (FY14 and prior) and profiles for all states can be accessed at the bottom of the list on the same site.

Note: There is a lag between data collection and publication. Currently, the latest available summary reports are from FY2020.


Research Brief: Access to Public Library Services During the First Nine Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 2023 

Infographic: How Public Libraries Adapted to Serve Their Communities at the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 2022 

Characteristics of Public Libraries in the United States: Results from the FY 2019 Public Libraries Survey, August 2021

The Use and Cost of Public Library Materials: Trends Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, January 2021

Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2017, Volume 1 and Volume 2

 

State Profile Infographics for Maryland

FY 2017 PLS Maryland State Profile Infographic

FY 2016 PLS: Maryland State Profile Infographic

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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