National Statistics

Statistics are collected at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 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

  • About the Survey – Get the basics about the annual Public Libraries Survey (PLS).
  • Publications – View reports summarizing national results from the PLS.
  • Data Catalog – Dig deeper into IMLS data with this new interactive tool.
  • Data File Download – Access data files for 1992 to the present.

Comparison Tools