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Public Library Data Service Statistical Report

Important Notice to Participants:  We are grateful to the public librarians who complete the questionnaire and provide us with their essential information year after year. If you are having trouble completing your questionnaire online, please contact staff at the University of Illinois Library Research Center at 217-333-1980, as they are managing the technical aspects of this project. 

2008 PLDS Order Forms Now Available!

• Click here to download the order form for the print version.  PDF file
• Click here to download the order form for the PLDS database.  PDF file 

The Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report, a project of the PLA, is designed to meet the needs of public library administrators and others for timely and effective library-specific data that illuminates and supports a wide variety of management decisions. Since its beginning in 1988, PLDS reports have also been used extensively by news outlets to better understand public libraries.

Published annually, the PLDS report presents exclusive, timely data from more than 800 public libraries across the United States and Canada on finances, library resources, annual use figures, and technology. In addition to these valuable topics, each year's edition contains a special survey highlighting statistics on one service area or topic. For more information about the PLDS Statistical Report contact the PLA office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA or pla@ala.org

• The 2007 PLDS Statistical Report includes a special survey on Young Adult Services. In addition to the print version, PLA is now offering access to the PLDS Online Database. The Online Database features a dynamic, Web-based format.  Learn more about the Online Database. For more information about the PLDS Statistical Report contact the PLA office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA or pla@ala.org.
  
• The 2006 PLDS Statistical Report features a special survey on Children's Services. Cost is $100 with discounts for ALA and PLA members. The "Statistical Report 2006" (ISBN 0-8389-8367-7) is available from the ALA Order Department, 1-866-746-7252. 
  
• The 2005 PLDS Statistical  Report features a special survey on Public Library Finance. The data contained in this year's report was collected from 938 public libraries. Categories include financial information, library resources and per capita measures, annual use figures, technology-related statistics and more. Library identification also is provided. The "Statistical Report 2005" (ISBN 0-8389-8315-4) is available from the ALA Order Department, 1-866-746-7252. Price is $80 with discounts for ALA and PLA members.

Bibliostat Connect

Visit Bibliostat Connect, a customizable database of library statistics drawn from information in the PLDS report, the FSCS (Federal State Cooperative System), and each state's own annual statistical report.

Related Files

• plds 07 book order form
• plds database order form

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