Library Search & Compare

Library Search & Compare

This web-based tool provides ways to explore and download data on individual libraries, including viewing 10-year trends. You can also find your library’s FSCS code here.

Public Library Survey (PLS)

Public Libraries Survey (PLS)

Conducted annually since 1988, PLS is your definitive source on the state of public libraries in the United States. Explore the PLS data to find key information on over 9,000 public library systems and 17,000 public library outlets nationwide.

PLS Benchmarking Tables

PLS Benchmarking Tables

These sortable tables showcase 3 years’ worth of key indicators of public library use, financial health, staffing and resources at the national, state, and library service area levels.

State Library Agency Survey (SLAA)

State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA)

Collected annually since 1994 and biennially after 2010, the SLAA Survey is your definitive source on the state of state library agencies in the United States. Explore the SLAA Survey data to find key information on the state library agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

State Library Agency Survey (SLAA)

SLAA Overview and Comparison Tool

Dig into SLAA overviews and compare 10-year trend data for up to 3 states on a range of administrative data.

Public Needs for Library and Museum Services Survey (PNLMS)

Public Needs for Library and Museum Services Survey (PNLMS)

PNLMS is a household survey that monitors the public’s expectations of and satisfaction with library and museum services. It helps determine attitudes, assess awareness of issues with library and museum services, and track trends in visitation and usage.

Museum Data File (MDF)

Museum Data Files (MDF)

Explore our list of about 33,000 museum-related organizations in the United States. MDF integrates data from several sources, including IMLS administrative records of discretionary grant recipients and IRS records of tax-exempt organizations, among other sources.

Administrative Discretionary Grant Data

Administrative Discretionary Grant Data

Explore the administrative records for discretionary grants funded by IMLS since FY 1996.

National Museum Survey (NMS)

National Museum Survey (NMS)

Now in its pilot phase, the National Museum Survey (NMS) will aim to capture the scope and scale of museums’ presence and reach within the United States of America over time.

Heritage Health Information Survey (HHIS)

Health Heritage Information Survey (HHIS)

The Heritage Health Information Survey (HHIS) provides information about preservation and conservation practices at U.S. collecting institutions.

Learning Agenda

Learning Agenda

IMLS's Office of Research and Evaluation is leading the development of the Agency's first Learning Agenda, which is organized around three research and evaluation priorities: child reading literacy, future of museums and equity grantmaking.

Social Wellbeing Report

Social Wellbeing Report

The Understanding the Social Wellbeing Impacts of the Nation’s Libraries and Museums study examines the role of museums and libraries in promoting social wellbeing in communities across the United States.

IMLS Funding Reports by State

IMLS Funding Reports by State

A compilation of IMLS funding reports for all states and the District of Columbia. Each state report includes detailed information, maps and charts about IMLS museum and library awards from FY 2011 to FY 2016.

IMLS Indicators Workbook: Economic Status and Broadband Availability and Adoption

IMLS Indicators Workbook: Economic Status and Broadband Availability and Adoption

The IMLS Indicators Workbook provides state and county-level information about selected indicators of economic status, broadband availability, and broadband adoption.