Recent Fast Facts 
- The Future of the Book, Part 1: Perceptions of Cost and Technological Advantages of Paper and Electronic Formats
- The Future of the Book, Part 2: Beyond the Bathtub, Personal Preference Among Many Factors Influencing Format Choice
- Computer Access and Traditional Library Services
- Use of Statewide Databases Skyrockets in 2009: Library Patrons Benefit from Additional Databases & Training
- State's Collaborative Climate Fosters Interlibrary Loan in Colorado
- See more Fast Facts.
Recent LRS News
- The Future of the Book 60-Second Survey Results
- Study Shows Summer Reading Programs Close Reading Gap
- Public Libraries & the Internet - Issue Briefs
- 2008 Public Library Survey Report Released: Library Use Up--Way Up--In The Last 10 Years
- CAL Surveys Colorado Library Community
- New Field Initiated Study - Reports on Diversity and Inclusivity
- Find more LRS news on our blog
National Public Library Statistics
Statistics are collected at the Institute of Museum and Library Services from more than 9,000 public libraries, via the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS). Data are available for individual public libraries and are also aggregated to state and national levels.
Public Libraries in the United States
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992IMLS also makes available computer files of annual data for about 9,000 administrative entities (i.e., jurisdictions) and about 16,000 outlets. Data files are available for 1992 to the present. Earlier files are available in both ASCII and .dbf formats, while more recent ones are available in both ASCII and MS Access (.mdb) formats. MS Access, SPSS, SAS, or similar statistical analysis software is recommended to users of these files. MS Excel and other spreadsheet applications are not recommended due to the structure and size of the files.
Comparison Tools
- NCES Tools
- Peer Comparison Tool - Compare your public library with its peers
- Public Library Locator - Locate libraries by name
- Other Tools
- Compare Public Libraries - Use this site to create reports comparing one library of interest to other libraries.
- Search for a Public Library
- US Library Data Archive Formerly housed by tht National Commission of Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), LRS now hosts files consist of compilations of raw annual data, longitudinal recompilations of those annual data, summary analysis of the libraries, reports on them, methodoligical studies, and documentation