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Library Data Services

The Nebraska Library Commission collects statistical data about public libraries and produces a variety of data products. Library Data Services is responsible for implementing the annual Public Library Survey, assisting Nebraska libraries in submitting the data, and reporting some of this information to the appropriate federal agencies.  Library Data Services also provides information and data in support of Library Commission administrative, planning, and evaluation activities.

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Each year the Nebraska Library Commission, along with other state library agencies, collects statistical data from all public libraries in the state.  This annual library survey includes data elements about funding, expenditures, library usage, collections, programs, and staffing.  The data collected is useful for planning and evaluation purposes and can be utilized to demonstrate the need for financial support from funding sources and policy makers at the state and local level.  Submitting this annual statistical survey through Bibliostat™ Collect is also required to become eligible for the public library accreditation program and the state aid to public libraries program.

Some information collected through this survey is reported to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the The Public Library Statistics Cooperative (PLSC), in cooperation with the U.S. Census Bureau.  The results of state library surveys are used to compile a national database of public library statistics. This database is utilized by the IMLS Compare Public Libraries tool and the IMLS Public Library Locator.  These applications allow libraries to find comparison data and create charts to illustrate specific library strengths and areas of need.

• Submit Your Public Library Statistics Online with Bibliostat™ Collect

• Public Libraries Survey - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Dollars for Data Grants

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Library Statistical Data

Library Data Services provides a compilation of the Nebraska public library data each year and makes this information available for viewing or downloading.  Also available on this page are links to other resources on the topic of library statistics, both for Nebraska and for public libraries nationally.

Nebraska Public Library Data

• Nebraska Public Library Statistical Files from FY 1999 to FY 2013
• View Individual Nebraska Library Quick Facts
• The Nebraska Public Library Hours Report is a web page that allows you to create a spreadsheet containing the public service hours of libraries by day of the week. Libraries are organized by regional system.
• Nebraska Public Library Statistics Infographic A data visualization brochure highlighting the 2011-2012 public library statistics for Nebraska.  
• I created a Word Cloud of all the narratives from the 2012-2013 Nebraska Public Library Survey. Take a look at what shows up as the most frequently mentioned words.
• Interactive Map of Nebraska Public Libraries. (Updated 05.22.2014 with 2012-2013 data) Click on a map marker and get library statistical information.

Other Library Statistics

• Learn about the Institute of Library & Museum Services (IMLS) Public Library Statistics Program, which includes tools to:
  • Search for Public Libraries and to:
  • Compare Public Libraries
• The LJ Index of Public Library Service 2013 is another tool libraries can use for self-assessment and constructive comparison with other libraries.
• Hennen's American Public Library Ratings has been published since 1999.  HALPR identifies the public libraries in the U.S. with the highest input and output measures. The latest rating is for 2010.
• Public library statistics from other states are available through the Colorado Library Research Service
• Statistics are gathered from academic libraries by the National Center for Educational Statistics every two years (even-numbered) through their Library Statistics Program.

Articles and Other Resources About Statistics

• NCompass Live: Presenting Data in Meaningful and Interesting Ways.  A recording of this January 13, 2010 presentation.
• The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project conducted a three-phase effort to study public libraries and how people use them. Their survey reports can be found on the Pew Internet >> Libraries section of the website.
• Using Charts to Display Data.  A brief table of chart types and when to use them in data presentations
• Visit the Statistics About Libraries page from the American Library Association Office for Research & Statistics
• Who's in the Queue? A Demographic Analysis of Public Access Computer Users and Uses in U.S. Public Libraries. Manjarrez, C., & Shoembs, K. 2011.Research Brief series, no. 4 (IMLS-2011-RB-04). Washington, DC: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
• Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2011-2012 reports on the latest American Library Association investigation of how public libraries are coping with demands for technology-based services.
• Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries.  The U.S. Impact Study, conducted by the Information School at the University of Washington, published by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), March 2010.
• For general population and demographic data, visit the official site of the U.S. Census Bureau.
• The State Data Center at UNO is a great source for Nebraska statistics. It is part of the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR).

      Page last modified 06.19.2014