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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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News Release - September 14, 2017

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.

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.

A snapshot of how public libraries reach out to teens with programs and services.

Rural and small public libraries in the United States are community anchors, providing critical services and resources to meet a variety of local needs. This brief provides the agency’s first targeted analysis of trends for rural and small library services.

The Public Libraries in the United States Survey report analyzes data supplied annually by over 98% of public libraries across the country. This year’s report features nine performance indicators and examines differences in library service at the locality levels (city, suburb, town, rural and national).

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Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2010 Download report (PDF; 3.7MB)