US Library Data Archive

NCES/IMLS Raw Public Library files

Introduction

This page provides links to the raw Public Library data, documentation, summary analysis of those public libraries from the US National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), reports on specific public library subjects and methodological studies, as well has historic publications about the formation of the public library data collection effort. The data from fiscal years 1987-2005 were collected through the Federal State Cooperative System for Public Library data (FSCS). The data made available here have been gathered from a number of sources. Early years of the data were not available the NCES Web site and were collected from original diskettes where possible. 1987-1989 came from the Interuniversity for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).

ICPSR also proved have archival copies of other library data, including early public library data collected through the Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS). These data are also on this site with documentation. A spreadsheet lists these data with the ICPSR numbering.

In addition to archiving the data and their documentation, ICSPR also made available programs to read the ASCII files from the early years. These programs were written in SAS and SPSS, two widely used statistical utilities. These programs are included here in the documentation for the three years they are available.

A number of the publications here are the results of scans and conversion of the orginals into pdf files. We are all particularly indebted to Barbara Holton of NCES for these fugitive documents. Too many bore a handwritten note: "Only copy."

There is a longitudinal recompilation of these data on this site for the years from 1987-2009.

Names have files have been often been changed for the sake of consistency and to avoid multiple files with the same names.



Public Library Survey - Data
Type of file Year File type File name File size Notes
FSCS Data          
Data FY 2009 zipped ASCII pls2009a_ASCII.zip 3.2MB Contains public library survey (pupld08a), state summary data (pusum08a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout08a). Filename extensions vary.
Data FY 2008 zipped ASCII pls2008a_ASCII.zip 3.2MB Contains public library survey (pupld08a), state summary data (pusum08a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout08a). Filename extensions vary.
Datasets are the versions with corrected data for Kansas.
Data FY 2007 zipped ASCII pls2007a_ASCII.zip 3.0MB Contains public library survey (pupld07a), state summary data (pusum07a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout07a). Filename extensions vary.
Datasets are the versions with corrected data for Ohio.
Data FY 2006 zipped ASCII pls2006a_ASCII.zip 2,485 KB Contains public library survey (pupld06a), state summary data (pusum06a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout06a). Filename extensions vary.
Data FY 2005 zipped ASCII pls2005a_ASCII.zip 2,451 KB Contains public library survey (pupld05a), state summary data (pusum05a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout05a). Filename extensions vary.
Data FY 2004 zipped ASCII pls2004a_ASCII.zip 2,406 KB Contains public library survey (pupld04a), state summary data (pusum04a),
and the library outlet (branch) file (puout04a). Filename extensions vary.
Data FY 2004 zipped Access pls2004a_Access.zip 2,475 KB File names follow the same conventions as in FY 2004.
Data FY 2003 zipped ASCII pls2003a_ASCII.zip 2,279 KB "
Data FY 2003 zipped Access pls2003a_Access.zip 2,397 KB "
Data FY 2002 zipped ASCII pls2002b_ASCII.zip 2,192 KB "
Data FY 2002 zipped Access pls2002b_Access.zip 2,453 KB "
Data FY 2001 zipped ASCII pls2001b_ASCII.zip 2,147 KB "
Data FY 2001 zipped Access pls2001b_Access.zip 2,430 KB "
Data FY 2000 zipped ASCII pls2000_ASCII.zip 2,117 KB "
Data FY 2000 zipped Access pls2000_Access.zip 2,397 KB "
Codebook FY 2000 zipped pls2000.zip 4,119 KB Contains the complete FY 2000 data and documentation with executables.
Data FY 1999 zipped ASCII pls1999_ASCII.zip 2,169 KB File names follow the same conventions as in FY 2004.
Data FY 1999 zipped Access pls1999_Access.zip 2,310 KB "
Data FY 1998 zipped ASCII pls1998_ASCII.zip 2,052 KB "
Data FY 1998 zipped Access pls1998_Access.zip 2,403 KB "
Data FY 1997 zipped ASCII pls1997_ASCII.zip 2,002 KB In addition to those listed above, this file contains Administrative Entities Only for
state libraries (PUAOSL97) and a state library outlet file (PUSLO97).
Data FY 1997 zipped Access pls1997_Access.zip 2,227 KB "
Data FY 1996 zipped ASCII pls1996_ASCII.zip 1,940 KB File names follow the same conventions used in FY 2004 and FY 1997.
Data FY 1996 zipped Access pls1996_Access.zip 2,176 KB "
Data FY 1995 zipped ASCII pls1995_ASCII.zip 1,904 KB "
Data FY 1995 zipped Access pls1995_Access.zip 2,156 KB "
Data FY 1994 zipped ASCII pls1994_ASCII.zip 1,855 KB "
Data FY 1994 zipped Access pls1994_Access.zip 2,045 KB "
Data FY 1993 zipped ASCII pls1993_ASCII.zip 1,853 KB "
Data FY 1993 zipped Access pls1993_Access.zip 2,137 KB "
Data FY 1992 zipped ASCII pls1992_ASCII.zip 1,837 KB "
Data FY 1992 zipped Access pls1992_Access.zip 2,077 KB "
Data FY 1991 ASCII pls1991universe.txt contains the data file
pls1991summary.txt has state summary data		 3,827 KB
25 KB		 The original file was PUBLIB91.EXE, a self-extracting file. It is located in the PublicLibs\Data directory. It will execute on Windows machines. The various files this program creates are filed where they belong, that is, data are with data and documentation with documentation.
Data FY 1990 ASCII pls1990universe.txt contains the data file
pls1990summary.txt has state summary data		 4,165 KB
25 KB		 The original diskette contained PUBLIB90.EXE, a self-extracting file. It is located in the PublicLibs\Data directory. It will execute on Windows machines but will only extract PUBLIB90.TXT PUBLIB90.TXT was renamed pls1990universe.txt for this compilation. The diskette also contained CEFSUMM.TXT which was renamed pls1990summary.txt.
Data FY 1989 ASCII pls1989universe.txt
pls1989summary.txt has state summary data.
da2212.txt is the later edition.		 4,318 KB
25 KB		 This copy comes from ICPSR 9596, September 1991. It was also published as ICPSR 2212, March 2002. 9596 was used in PLDF3. By inspection, da2212.txt and pls1989universe.txt (originally da9596i.gz) appear to be the same. The summary file appears not to be available with the later version.
Data FY 1988 ASCII pls1988universe.txt 3,816 KB 7,910 library records, 45 summary records
ICPSR 2211
Data FY 1987 ASCII pls1987universe.txt 1,839 KB Summary data for each of the 19 reporting states is found as the first observation for that state.
ICPSR 2210, March 2002
LIBGIS Data          
Data 1981 ASCII da2279.txt 1,455 KB Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS) from ICPSR
Public Library Universe, 1981
A directory of "main" public libraries. 8,611 cases
ICPSR 2279, March 2002
Data FY 1977-1978 ASCII da2209.txt 1,558 KB Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS) III from ICPSR
Public Libraries, FY 1977-1978
ICPSR 2209, May 2002
Data 1977 ASCII da2207.txt 1,453 KB Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS) III
Public Library Universe, 1977
ICPSR 2207, March 2002
Data FY 1974 ASCII da2208.txt 1,143 KB Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS) I from ICPSR
Public Libraries, FY 1974
1,460 cases. Brief data on public libraries, branches, and some state libraries.
ICPSR 2208, March 2002
Data 1973 ASCII da2206.txt 1,521 KB Library General Information Survey (LIBGIS) I from ICPSR
Public Library Universe, 1973
8,996 cases. Stratified random sample.
ICPSR 2206, March 2002


Public Library Survey - Documentation
Type of file Year File type File name File size Notes
Documentation FY 2009 PDF pls2009doc.pdf 574 KB  
Documentation FY 2008 PDF pls2008doc.pdf 658 KB  
Documentation FY 2007 PDF pls2007doc.pdf 653 KB  
Documentation FY 2006 PDF pls2006doc.pdf 1,616 KB  
Documentation FY 2005 PDF pls2005doc.pdf 353 KB  
Documentation FY 2004 PDF pls2004doc.pdf 526 KB  
Documentation FY 2003 PDF pls2003doc.pdf 661 KB  
Documentation FY 2002 PDF pls2002bdoc.pdf 341 KB  
Documentation FY 2001 PDF pls2001bdoc.pdf 1,036 KB  
Documentation FY 2000 PDF pls2000doc.pdf 1,278 KB  
Documentation FY 1999 PDF pls1999doc.pdf 1,278 KB  
Documentation FY 1998 PDF pls1998doc.pdf 434 KB  
Documentation FY 1997 PDF pls1997doc.pdf 222 KB  
Documentation FY 1996 PDF pls1996doc.pdf 193 KB  
Documentation FY 1995 PDF pls1995doc.pdf 193 KB  
Documentation FY 1994 PDF pls1994doc.pdf 162 KB  
Documentation FY 1993 PDF pls1993doc.pdf 165 KB  
Documentation FY 1992 ASCII pls1992.doc.pdf 152 KB  
Documentation FY 1991 ASCII pls1991doc.txt 105 KB  
Documentation FY 1990 ASCII pls1990doc.txt 77 KB  
Documentation FY 1989 ASCII pls1989doc.txt
Also published as cb2212.pdf		 33 KB ICPSR 9596, September 1991.
ICPSR 2212, March 2002.
Each says "First ICPSR edition."
Documentation FY 1988 ASCII pls1988doc.pdf 402 KB ICPSR 2211, March 2002
Documentation FY 1987 ASCII pls1987doc.pdf 513 KB ICPSR 2210, March 2002
LIBGIS Documentation          
Documentation LIBGIS, 1981 PDF cb2279.pdf 1,306 KB ICPSR 2279, March 2002
Documentation LIBGIS III, FY 1977-1978 PDF cb2209.pdf
SAS program to read the data—sa2209.txt
SPSS program to read the data—sp2209.txt		 1,306 KB ICPSR 2209, May 2002
Documentation LIBGIS III, Public Library Universe, 1977 PDF cb2207.pdf
SAS program to read the data—sa2207.txt
SPSS program to read the data—sp2207.txt		 442 KB ICPSR 2207, March 2002
Documentation LIBGIS I, FY 1974 PDF cb2208.pdf
SAS program to read the data—sa2208.txt
SPSS program to read the data—sp2208.txt		 1,600 KB ICPSR 2208, March 2002
Documentation LIBGIS I, Public Library Universe 1973 PDF cb2206.pdf
SAS program to read the data—sa2206.txt
SPSS program to read the data—sp2206.txt		 1,600 KB ICPSR 2208, March 2002


NCES/IMLS Summary Data Publications about Public Libraries
Type of file Year File type File name File size Notes
Summary Report FY 2008 PDF PLS2008.pdf 1.8MB Public Libraries Survey, Fiscal Year 2007
Release date: June 2010. Revised: January 2011.
Summary Report FY 2007 PDF PLS2007.pdf 1.8MB Public Libraries Survey, Fiscal Year 2007
Release date: June 2009. Revised: September 2010.
Summary report FY 2006 PDF PLS2006.pdf 1.6MB Public Libraries Survey, Fiscal Year 2006. December 2008
E.D. Tab/First Look FY 2005 PDF EDTabPLS2005.pdf
Supplementary Tables EDTabPLS2005_s.pdf		 1,616 KB 608 KB
431 KB		  
E.D. Tab FY 2004 PDF EDTabPLS2004.pdf 1,055 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 2003 PDF EDTabPLS2003.pdf 1,066 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 2002 PDF EDTabPLS2002.pdf 1,075 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 2001 PDF EDTabPLS2001.pdf 507 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 2000 PDF EDTabPLS2000.pdf 447 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1999 PDF EDTabPLS1999.pdf 437 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1998 PDF EDTabPLS1998.pdf 431 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1997 PDF EDTabPLS1997.pdf 610 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1996 PDF EDTabPLS1996.pdf 1,125 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1995 PDF EDTabPLS1995.pdf 968 KB  
E.D. Tab FY 1994 PDF EDTabPLS1994.pdf 548 KB  
{state rank order tables for FY 1994) FY 1994 PDF NCLIS 1994 public library state rankings 1,467 KB No title page. Handwritten note on first page: "Final / NCLIS Mailout / 4-17-97 (received in mail) / (second copy)"
Provenance is not clear but the typeface resembles that in NCES publications. The state rank order tables did not appear in the FY 1994 E.D. Tabs (above) but began appearing in FY 1995 and after.
E.D. Tab FY 1993 ASCII EDTabPLS1993.txt 59 KB  
{state rank order tables for FY 1993) FY 1993 PDF Public Libraries in the United States, FY 1993: Selected Data and Rankings, by state 6,077 KB First page of this pdf file is a fax transmittal sheet dated "6-25-97" to Keith Lance from Elaine Kroe. The state rank order tables are now published in the E.D. Tabs but did not appear there before the FY 1995 report.
E.D. Tab FY 1992 ASCII EDTabPLS1992.txt 90 KB  
{state rank order tables for 1991) 1991 PDF State Rankings of Selected Public Library Data, 1991 2,441 KB The state rank order tables are now published in the E.D. Tabs but did not appear there before the FY 1995 report. However, the data for 1991 are not comparable to those for 1992 or later.
Historical Report 1982 PDF Statistics of Public Libraries, 1982 223 KB Four page summary statistics. Published in 1986
8,597 public libraries in 1982
  1977-1978 PDF Statistics of Public Libraries, 1977-1978 6,930 KB Equivalent to a current E.D. Tab or First Look
8,456 public libraries in 1978


NCES Reports
Title Date File size Notes
Households' Use of Public and Other Types of Libraries: 2002 January 2007 578 KB ED Tab
NCES 2007-327,
98 pages
Measuring Inflation in Public Libraries: A Comparison of Two Approaches, the Input Cost Index and the Cost Services Index April 1999 2.2 MB Statistical Analysis Report
NCES 1999-325,
100 pages
from ERIC: ED 428 780
Begins on p. 3 of pdf. Page 2 is bad.
Use of Public Library Services by Households in the United States: 1996 February 1997 48 KB Statistics in Brief
NCES 97-446,
12 pages
Public Library Structure and Organization in the United States March 1996 2,170 KB Technical Report
NCES 96-229,
48 pages
Report on Evaluation of Definitions Used in the Public Library Statistics Program January 1995 4,828 KB Technical Report
NCES 95-430,
132 pages
Services and Resources for Children and Young Adults in Public Libraries August 1995 5,710 KB Fast Response Survey System
NCES 95-357,
132 pages
Finance Data in the Public Library Statistics Program: Definitions, Internal Consistency, and Comparisons to Secondary Sources April 1995 4,834 KB Technical Repor
NCES 95-209,
69 pages
Staffing Data in the Public Library Statistics Program Definitions, Internal Consistency, and Comparisons to Secondary Sources August 1995 4,556 KB Fast Response Survey System
NCES 95-186,
70 pages
Data Comparability and Public Policy: New Interest in Public Library Data; Papers Presented at Meetings of The American Statistical Association November 1994 11,408 KB Working Paper No 94-07,
94 pages
Services and Resources for Children in Public Libraries, 1988-89. Contractor Report March 1990 1,997 KB Survey Report
NCES 90-098,
40 pages

The following are documents funded or sponsored by NCES and/or NCLIS but not published by NCES.

Historical Documents
Title Date File size Notes
Report on the Library and Information Services Policy Forum on Impact of Information Technology and Special Programming on Library Services to Special Populations May 20-21, 1996 4,166 KB 74 pages
Proceedings of the Library and Information Services Policy Forum; Changes in Library and Information Services: 1996-2001 May 15-16, 1995 6,890 KB Funded by NCES and Co-sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
116 pages
Library and Information Services Policy: A Forum Report September 23-24, 1993 6,077 KB Sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
113 pages
An Action Plan for a Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data April 1989 2,880 KB Supported by the U.S. Nation Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the National Center for Education Statistics
70 pages
Analysis of Library Data Collection and Development of Plans for the Future, Final Report to the National Center for Education Statistics November 15, 1984 6,521 KB by Mary Jo Lynch
153 pages
Library Human Resources: A Study of Supply and Demand: A report prepared for the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office of Libraryies and Learning Technology by King Research, Inc 1983 10,401 KB issued by the American Library Association
243 pages
September 5, 2011