Infographic: How Public Libraries Adapted to Serve Their Communities at the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic
This infographic highlights strategies public libraries used to ensure patrons had access to library services as the pandemic forced closures in communities around the nation beginning in March 2020.
Characteristics of Public Libraries in the United States: Results from the FY 2019 Public Libraries Survey
This short report introduces the supplementary tables in the FY 2019 Public Libraries Survey.
The Use and Cost of Public Library Materials: Trends Before the COVID-19 Pandemic (Research Brief)
This research brief explores trends of public libraries’ physical and electronic collections expenditures and circulation between 2014 and 2018.
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2017, Volume 2
The FY 2017 Public Libraries Survey (PLS) Report, Volume II discusses the results of our annual survey of public libraries in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and outlying territories and shows changes in how public libraries have served the community across ten years.
Rural Libraries in America: An Infographic Overview
Rural libraries serve approximately 30 million Americans, helping their communities solve persistent challenges with broadband access. This summary, and its accompanying State Data Tables, updates a 2013 IMLS report that used Public Libraries Survey (PLS) data to present analyses based on the FY 2017 PLS, with some comparisons to FY 2008.
State Detail Tables Worksheet (XLSX, 84 KB)
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2017, Volume 1
The FY 2017 Public Libraries Survey (PLS) Report, Volume I discusses the results of our annual survey of public libraries in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and outlying territories and shows changes in how public libraries have served the community across ten years.
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2016
The Public Libraries in the United States Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. The FY 2016 PLS report summarizes data on financial health; resources, services and usage; and staffing levels provided by 98 percent of public libraries in the United States.
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2015
The Public Libraries in the United States Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. This FY 2015 PLS summarizes the reported data provided by 98 percent of public libraries and outlets in the United States.
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2014
The Public Libraries in the United States Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. This FY 2014 PLS summarizes the reported data provided by 97.4 percent of public libraries and outlets in the United States.
Links
News Release - September 14, 2017
Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2013
The Public Libraries in the United States Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. These data, supplied annually by more than 97 percent of public libraries across the country, provide information that policymakers and practitioners can use to make informed decisions about the support and strategic management of libraries.