Research Method and Context

Transcription

1 The 2013 Public Library Data Service: Characteristics and Trends The Public Library Data Service (PLDS) annual survey is conducted by the Public Library Association (PLA). This 2013 survey of public libraries from the United States and Canada collected fiscal year 2012 information on finances, resources, service usage and technology. Each year PLDS includes a special survey highlighting on one service area or public library topic. This year the supplemental questions focused on Facilities. PLA continues its relationship with Counting Opinions (SQUIRE) Ltd. to provide the service for capturing the data and for the online PLAmetrics subscription service offering access to the longitudinal PLDS data sets going back to FY2002 and data from the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) going back to FY2000. PLAmetrics provides public libraries real-time access to meaningful and relevant public library data for comparing and assessing their operations using a variety of custom report formats and customizable report templates. This report presents selected metrics for PLDS data and previous year results in tables and charts with related observations. The results in this report were compiled using PLAmetrics. Research Method and Context Participation in the PLDS is voluntary and participants have the option of providing responses to any or all of the questions that comprise the survey. Similar to previous years, public libraries in the United States and Canada were invited to participate in the survey. s (3,430) were sent to launch the survey (January), postcards were handed out (ALA Mid-winter Seattle), follow-up letters and s were sent throughout March and April and the deadline for submission was extended from March 15 th to April 15th. State data coordinators from the U.S. and Provincial/association coordinators in Canada were contacted about promoting the survey to their libraries. Their involvement again led to increased awareness and participation. 1,949 of American and Canadian public libraries partially or fully responded to the request for data, a response rate of 21 percent (a 1.3 percent increase over last year), however, due to the voluntary nature of this survey, several libraries had to be contacted for additional data resulting in 1,897 libraries included in the final data analysis. This is an increase over last year s number of 1,579 and 1,461 from the year previous. Please refer to the online PLDS Survey site, for copies of the survey and definitions of questions. Overall Service Summary The PLDS Survey includes questions that effectively characterize the operations (input and output measures) of each responding library. Table 1 below, includes a selection of summary data representing all libraries that provided non-zero values for each selected measure. The results include 1,897 responding libraries that reported their population of legal service area, a 20 increase compared to the response count. Table 1 shows that the population served ranged between 143 to 3,819,702 with a mean and median population of 101,607 and 21,256 respectively. These results characterize the overall composition of the PLDS data set and these statistics are consistent with reality, whereby over 82 of the reporting libraries serve populations under 50,000. New this year is an increase in the number of participating libraries that serve populations of 50,000 or more (a 37 increase). For libraries serving populations under 50,000 the increase in response rate is 14 more than last year. As a result of this increase in smaller

2 libraries reporting data in, the mean and median values listed in Table 1 have decreased with the exception of mean Electronic circulation which shows an increase of 63 overall and Interlibrary loans (ILLs) to/from other libraries with a modest increases in average and mean values compared to last year. TABLE 1. Descriptive Statistics of 2013 PLDS Participating Public Libraries () Number of Reporting Libraries Total Minimum Maximum Mean Median Population of legal service area ,748, ,819, ,607 21,256 Registrations ,604, ,101,924 60,605 13,509 Holdings ,763, ,352, , ,413 Total annual circulation ,648,469, ,032,036 1,000, ,953 Print circulation ,920, ,769, , ,581 CD/DVD circulation ,477, ,547, ,658 68,151 Other circulation ,873, ,100,386 90,132 9,365 Electronic circulation ,146, ,989,774 63,782 8,145 Annual renewals ,364, ,260, ,679 80,917 In-library use of materials ,134, ,411, ,500 25,981 Reference transactions ,630, ,844, ,789 17,913 Library visits ,719, ,872, , ,057 Programs attendance ,842, ,058,899 33,551 9,640 Number of programs ,130, ,157 1, Interlibrary loan to other libraries ,054, ,060 18,018 3,478 Interlibrary loan from other libraries ,816, ,117 16,237 2,453 * Please note that the Number of Reporting Libraries (N) includes those that responded to each question with a value including exceptions (e.g., N/A or Not Available/Applicable). However, the summary results (total, minimum, maximum, mean and median values) exclude those Libraries that reported an N/A or no (null) value.

3 Population Throughout this article, the population of legal service area is used as the basis for grouping results and for per capita ratios. It is important to note that the sample of responding libraries is variable year-over-year and within each population grouping. As such, we also include analysis of continuous responder data. This discussion includes trends and comparisons for the data segmented into either: a) 9 population of legal service area groupings (shown in Figure 1); and/or, b) as a group of libraries (N=352) that have consistently participated in each PLDS survey over the most recent 3 and/or 5 years (FY2008 to ). FIGURE1. Distribution of and Public Libraries by Population of the Legal Service Area Number of Libraries Under ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , ,999 Population of Legal Service Area , , , , ,000,000 or more Figure 2 shows population by legal service area (Pop LSA) reported over the past 5 years. The trend shows an increase in participating public libraries that serve smaller populations, as evidenced by the lower mean and median values depicted in the last two years. The second part of Figure 2 displays the Pop LSA data for the continuous participants which highlights that the population for this group has not changed much over the past 5 years and therefore yield more consistent and comparable per capita metrics. FIGURE 2. Trend of PLDS Public Libraries by Mean and Median Population of the Legal Service Area Pop LSA Population of the Legal Service Area - All Libraries 250, , , ,000 50,000 0 FY2008 FY2009 Mean 218, , , , ,607 Median 91,987 51,597 23,753 21,530 21,256 N Population of the Legal Service Area (N=352) 350, , , , , ,000 50,000 0 FY2008 FY2009 Mean 324, , , , ,499 Median 144, , , , ,042 N

4 Registered Borrowers For the continuously reporting libraries, Table 2 shows a 2.2 increase in the average number of registered borrowers per capita in for libraries serving populations fewer than 50,000 compared to a 4.1 average decrease in. Libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more reported an average 0.2 increase compared to a 1.5 decrease last year. Overall registered borrowers increased by just over 1 for this group of libraries in. TABLE 2. 3 Year Trend for the Percentage Registered Borrowers per capita by Population Group - Continuous Reporting Libraries (N=352) Mean Registered Borrowers per capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over For all libraries that reported both their population of legal service area and the number of registrations, Figure 3 shows a 3 year trend for mean registered borrowers per capita by population group. For : Overall 1897 libraries offer services to a total population of 192,748,171 including 102,759,178 registered borrowers (>71 of the population*.) For those libraries with populations under 25,000, these 1010 libraries offer service to a population of 8,008,103 including 4,976,573 registered borrowers (>82 of the population*.) For those libraries with populations over 25,000, 887 libraries offer services to a population of 184,740,068 including 97,627,462 registered borrowers (>61 of the population*.) While Library Registrations showed a small overall contraction in mean registered borrowers per capita in, results show an increase for libraries serving populations under 50,000 but a decrease for libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more. *Note: Some Libraries, particularly those serving fewer than 10,000 persons, reported a higher number of registrations than the actual number of people in their population of legal service area. s in some instances are explained by 2010 census figures are often no longer accurate especially in communities with rapid expansion or contraction Libraries may serve surrounding communities outside their LSA Influx of temporary and/or semi-permanent migrant workers The most significant marginal change occurred in population groups under 5000, with a 36 increase. For continuous reporting libraries, the most significant increase is for populations between 10,000 and 49,999. Figure 4 shows the 5 year trend for all libraries; those libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more (i.e., excludes those serving populations under 50,000) and; the continuous responding libraries. Filtering out the smaller libraries, indicates that registrations per capita has risen and fallen ever so slightly over the last 5 years for the larger libraries (varies

5 between 56 and 60). Registered borrowers per capita for continuous reporting libraries shows a stable trend (varies between 57 and 62). FIGURE 3. 3 Year Trend by Population Group for the Percentage of Mean Registered Borrowers per Capita Mean Reg Borrowers/Capita Population of legal service area FIGURE4. 5 Year Trend for the Percentage of Registered Borrowers per capita: All Libraries; Libraries Serving Populations 50,000 or greater; Continuous Reporting Libraries Reg Borrowers/Capita All Libraries FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N Libraries serving Pop>50, FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N Continuous Reporting Libraries Reg Borrowers/Capita FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N

6 Holdings The three year trend chart for Mean Holdings per Capita, for continuous respondents, is shown in Figure 5 (note: reverse chronological order). FIGURE 5. 3 Year Trend by Population Group for Mean Holdings per Capita Continuous Reporting Libraries (N=350) Mean Holdings/Capita The three year trend for Mean expenditures on Holdings and e-materials, for continuous respondents, is shown in Figure 6 (note: reverse chronological order). FIGURE 6. 3 Year Trend by Population Group for Percentage Materials Expenditure Spent on ematerials (N=346) Materials Expenditure on ematerials Despite an average increase in expenditures on ematerials as a percentage of Total Materials expenditure, holdings per capita for the continuous respondent group increased overall by only 2.9.

7 FIGURE 7. Five Year Trend for Holdings Per Capita by Mean and Median values: All PLDS Libraries; PLDS Libraries serving Pop 25,000 Holdings per capita FY All PLDS Libraries FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N Holdings per capita FY PLDS Libraries serving Pop > 25, FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N When viewing the results for all respondents, the average Holdings per Capita show a very similar pattern as in previous years (Figure 7). The average overall holdings per capita for all reporting libraries is (N=1,592). This value is 81 greater than last year. This is likely due to the increased number of respondents serving smaller populations (< 25,000). As shown in Figure 7 (right), filtering out these libraries (populations < 25,000) the mean and median holdings per capita over the past 5 years is very stable with slightly over 2 growth which is similar to the continuous responding libraries (2.9). Circulation Continuous respondent libraries circulated about 11 items/capita on average in, 1.6 fewer than last year s average, as shown in Table 4 by population groupings. TABLE 4. 3 Year Trend and Percentage in Mean Annual Circulation per Capita by Population Group - Continuous Respondents Mean Annual Circulation/Capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over Although 53 Libraries within the continuous respondent group did not report electronic circulation figures, the 0.41 e-circulations/capita (an 86 increase from last year) were insufficient to offset the

8 apparent lower reported circulation/capita of physical materials. This reduced level of circulation activity likely coincides with the decrease in library visits (see Library Visits). Figure 8 shows a similar pattern of lower circulation per capita for all libraries except for those serving populations under 25,000. Within this group, a 2.5 increase in circulation per capita was reported by continuous responders. FIGURE 8. 3 Year Trend for Mean Annual Circulation per capita with Summary Stats by Population Group Mean Circulation /Capita Population of legal service area Table 5 summarizes the circulation/capita results for continuous respondents that reported circulation by item type, including Electronic circulation (N=291). Print circulation Note: most respondents did accounted for over 58 of circulation, CD/DVDs accounted for over not report circulation counts 34 of circulation and Other circulation accounted for over 5.8 of for each type of material. circulation. These results are similar to the proportions found in the survey. TABLE 5. Circulation per capita Summary for Libraries Reporting the Contribution of Circulation by Item Type Continuous Respondents Continuous Respondents Circulation/Capita Summary N Total Mean Median Min Max Print circulation CD/DVD circulation Other circulation Total annual circulation Circulation counts include e-circulation? Yes 222 No 60 Electronic circulation

9 TABLE 6. Circulation per capita Summary for Libraries Reporting the Contribution of Circulation by Item Type All Libraries All Libraries Circulation/Capita Summary N Total Mean Median Min Max Print circulation CD/DVD circulation Other circulation Total annual circulation Circulation counts include e-circulation? Yes 533 No 281 Electronic circulation Table 6 shows Electronic Circulation/capita for all libraries reporting each item type and circulation activity for their library. Table 7 below shows electronic circulation for all Libraries that reported this activity in and/or. In more than twice the number of libraries reported electronic circulation contributing to a 161 increase in total e-circulations (0.40 e- circulations/capita.) TABLE 7. Electronic Circulation per capita for All Libraries for and Electronic circulation/capita N Total Mean Median Min - - Max Table 8, includes circulation/capita results for 242 continuous reporting Libraries that reported both total annual circulation and renewals (renewals represents 27.3 percent of total annual circulation.) Table 8. Annual Circulation and the Contribution of Renewals Number of Reporting Libraries Total Minimum Maximum Mean Median Total annual circulation ,613,532 20,615 32,032,036 3,874,436 1,874,746 Annual renewals ,757,753 3,717 12,260,890 1,056, ,389 Collection turnover rates (Circulation/ Holdings) are depicted in Figure 8. ( results for All Libraries and the Continuous Reporting libraries)

10 FIGURE9. Five Year Trend for Collection Turnover Rates for All Libraries and Continuous Reporting Libraries. Collection Turnover Collection Turnover FY All PLDS Libraries 0.00 FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N Circulation Turnover FY Consistent Reporting Libraries FY2008 FY2009 Mean Median N The rates calculated for each library, summarized in Figure 9, show the effect of a higher number of reporting libraries giving rise to lower mean and median collection turnover rates compared to previous years. The collection turnover rate for the continuous reporting libraries shows a continuing softening over the past 3 years. Collection turnover rates are likely also impacted by the current transition to new formats of holdings (e-materials) and new ways to consume information (circulation) and the ways in which these are counted. Annual Visits The continuous library responder group show fewer library visits per capita (1.5 fewer). Table 9 shows results for continuous respondents. Table 10 shows results for all responding libraries. Libraries serving populations under 25,000 recorded more visits/capita between 4.7 and 25.5 an average of 1.6 more visits per capita than libraries serving communities 25,000 or more. Libraries serving populations under 100,000 saw an average of at least 7.03 visits per capita very similar to the previous year. TABLE 9. Mean Library Visits per capita for and for each Population Group Continuous Respondents Mean visits per capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over

11 TABLE 10. Mean Library Visits per Capita for and for each Population Group All Libraries Mean visits per capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over Average library visits per capita for all reporting libraries was 7.05 (N=942) (>11 increase over last year.) Figure 9 shows that this increase can be accounted for among smaller libraries serving populations under 25,000 people were more libraries in this segment contributed data this year (959 libraries reported 535,057 mean annual visits in compared to 377 having mean annual visits of 648,273 in FY 2011). Libraries serving population groups of 25,000 or more reported a decrease in average library visits per capita; a trend continuing from the previous year. FIGURE 10. Percentage Change in Mean Library Visits per Capita by Population of Legal Service Area Change Change Figure 10 shows the percentage change of library visits in the past two years for each population grouping and Figure 11 shows the 3 year trend for the mean annual visits per registered borrower for each population grouping. This pattern of declining registrations suggests a relationship between the decreasing library visits for libraries serving populations of 25,000 or more.

12 FIGURE 11. Mean Visits per Registered Borrower 3 year trend for each population group Continuous Reporting Libraries Mean Visits/Registered Borrower Population of legal service area Changes in hours of operation (total hours open and convenient hours open) likely impacts the number of library visits and other in-library service usage, including circulation, program attendance and reference questions asked/answered (where staff involvement is required). Table 11 shows the 3 year trend for hours open per week by population grouping. Consistent with other observations, in 4 out of the 9 population groups, the mean public service hours per week has reduced. This reduction in hours likely explains reductions in the numbers of library visits and other activity counts. Tables 12 and 13, show the 3 year mean activity counts for in-library visits and reference questions. While fewer hours of operation are not the only factor affecting visits and related service usage, the pattern is consistent for libraries in population groups showing reduced hours of operation. The mean in-library use of materials rates per capita are 6.98 lower (248,766 in to 231,396 in ) and mean reference transactions are lower (160,261 in to 131,587 in.) TABLE Year Trend for Mean Public Service Hours per Week for each Population Group Mean public service hours per week < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over

13 TABLE Year Trend from Mean In-library Use of Materials by Population Group In-Library Use/Capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over TABLE Year Trend from Mean Reference Transactions by Population Group Reference Questions/Capita < 5, ,000-9, ,000-24, ,000-49, ,000-99, , , , , , , ,000,000 and over Given the availability of remote online library services (including reference services, downloadable materials, and online databases) it might be reasonable to assume that physical visits have been displaced by remote/online visits. However, as Figure 12 depicts, an expected increase in web visits per capita has not occurred. Instead web visits have declined an average of 13. It is difficult to ascertain the cause, but the variability of systems and methods used to count web site visits, is likely a factor. The count methods combined with an updated definition for how to count web site visits as well as difference in systems and tools used to count this activity are likely explanations for some of the differences from the previous year. FIGURE year trend Mean Web Visits Per Capita by Population Group Continuous Responding Libraries

14 Web Visits/Capita Population of legal service area Operating Finances Income and expenditure measures continue to provide useful insights and therefore are a major section within the PLDS survey. For the continuous respondent group, the average overall annual library income was $14,001,457 or $53.20 per capita of the legal service area (N=351), a decrease of $0.18 from last year s average per capita income of $53.38 (N=352). FIGURE Year Trend Mean Income ($) per capita by Population of Legal Service Area Continuous Responding Libraries Mean Income/Capita $90.00 $80.00 $70.00 $60.00 $50.00 $40.00 $30.00 $20.00 $10.00 $0.00 Population of legal service area Overall Annual library expenditures per capita, is $49.91 (N=351). This is an increase of $0.17 per capita from the average of $49.74 (N=352) per capita in fiscal year FIGURE Year Trend Mean Expenditures ($) per capita by Population of Legal Service Area Continuous Responding Libraries

15 Mean Operating Expenditure/Capita $90.00 $80.00 $70.00 $60.00 $50.00 $40.00 $30.00 $20.00 $10.00 $0.00 Population of legal service area As depicted in Figures 13 and 14, the most notable patterns for the continuous responding libraries are found in the population groups serving under 50,000 and those serving 50,000 and more where average income per capita and operating expenditures per capita are reported compared to the previous two years. Increases in both per capita income and expenditures were reported for the under 50,000 population groups, and the 50,000 and over group reported mostly lower income and expenditures unchanged from the previous years, although the 500, ,999 population group did report higher income. Overall average income and expenditures per capita increased in. However Libraries, serving populations between 25,000 and 499,999 continue to experience reduced funding and thus continue to make cuts to expenditures per capita. The following graphics (Figures 15, 16, 17, 18) depict the patterns of income and changes in the expenditures over the past 5 years for the medium-sized libraries. The graphics show a relationship between funding and expenditure per capita levels each year and the pattern of variability in the budget among competing categories of expenditures. FIGURE 15. Changes in Mean Expenditure per capita by Type and 5Year Trend for Mean Total Income per capita for Pop Served 25,000-49,999 Population Served 25,000-49,999 Changes in Mean Expenditure/Capita Income/Capita Trend FY2007 FY2008 FY $ $ $ $ $ $ $0.00 FY2007- FY2008 FY2008- FY2009 FY FY Change in Expenditure/Capita Mean Total Income per capita Mean Salary Expenditure per capita Mean Benefits Expenditure per capita Mean Materials Expenditure per capita Mean Other Expenditure per capita Mean Total Income per capita

16 FIGURE 16. Changes in Mean Expenditure per capita by Type and 5Year Trend for Mean Total Income per capita for Pop Served 50, Population Served 50,000-99,999 Changes in Mean Expenditure/Capita Income/Capita Trend FY2007 FY2008 FY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $44.00 FY2007- FY2008 FY2008- FY2009 FY2009- Change in Expenditure/Capita - FY Mean Total Income per capita Mean Salary Expenditure per capita Mean Benefits Expenditure per capita Mean Materials Expenditure per capita Mean Other Expenditure per capita Mean Total Income per capita FIGURE 17. Changes in Mean Expenditure per capita by Type and 5Year Trend for Mean Total Income per capita for Pop Served 100, ,999 Population Served 100, ,999 Changes in Mean Expenditure/Capita FY FY2008 FY2009 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $35.00 FY2007- FY2008 FY2008- FY2009 Income/Capita Trend FY2009- Change in Expenditure/Capita - FY Mean Total Income per capita Mean Salary Expenditure per capita Mean Benefits Expenditure per capita Mean Materials Expenditure per capita Mean Other Expenditure per capita Mean Total Income per capita FIGURE 18. Changes in Mean Expenditure per capita by Type and 5Year Trend for Mean Total Income per capita for Pop Served 249, ,999 Changes in Mean Expenditure Levels by Type Mean Total Income Trend Population Served 249, ,999 Changes in Mean Expenditure/Capita Fiscal Year Trend FY2007 FY2008 FY $ $ $ $ $ $ $36.00 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 Percentage change in mean expenditure levels by type Mean Total Income per capita Mean Salary Expenditure per capita Mean Benefits Expenditure per capita Mean Materials Expenditure per capita Mean Other Expendiiture per capita Mean Total Income Per Capita These patterns of income and expenditure per capita are similar for all libraries and appear to depend on the sources of funding. For, all Libraries serving populations under 25,000 reported

17 increases in income from State/Provincial and Other sources including the Federal Government. These libraries show higher income levels per capita and correspondingly higher expenditures per capita. This is most significant in the under 5,000 population group. One thing common for all libraries serving populations under 500,000 in Fiscal Year 2012 is that each has experienced cuts in income from Local Government per capita; often the most significant funding source for such libraries. The result of these cuts in spending is depicted in Figures 15,16,17,18 for the population groups from 25, ,999. These charts show the impact of cuts to expenditures and specifically reduced expenditure on staff. Interestingly for the group of continuous responding libraries the portion of total expenditures spent on staff has tended to grow (1.67 from 2008 to 2011, and in 2012) relative to the other areas of spending and since 2007 the percentage of Librarians on staff has been increasing while the percentage of non-librarians on staff has been decreasing; a reversal of the trend between 2002 and 2007 for the composition of staff. Table 14 summarizes various library outputs as a function of expenditures/capita in each population grouping for the continuous responding libraries (N=349). Icons depict the change in value relative to previous year values. In per $1000 spent, continuous reporting libraries realized on average per $1000 spent: 1.63 fewer visits 1.41 fewer circulations 3.36 more program attendees 6.25 fewer reference transactions fewer in-library uses 4.36 more registered borrowers TABLE 14. Average Library Output Characteristics per $1,000 of Expenditures by Population Group Continuous Responding Libraries Visits per $1000 of Expenditures Circulation per $1000 of Expenditures Program Attendance per $1000 of Expenditures Reference Transactions per $1000 of Expenditures In-Library Use per $1000 of Expenditures Registered Borrowers per $1000 of Expenditures under 5,000 5,000-9,999 10,000-24,999 25,000-49,999 50,000-99, , , , , , ,999 1,000,0000 and more Table 15 (also reported last year) represents the overall use of funds by the libraries (Activity per expenditure). As compared with results published last year, most figures have increased. Each of the population groups, show similar relative changes in activities and expenditures. For example the population groups between 50,000 and 499,999 overall incurred lower expenditures per capita (- 8.56) between and and had fewer Registered borrowers (-0.29) and Library visits (-7.47) per capita and simultaneously recorded fewer activity counts. Overall the measures show more up (34) arrows than down (19) arrows. This suggest that the respondent libraries in general in were accomplishing more with fewer ($) (or more with more ($)) and the implication being

18 that activity levels are proportionately higher than the operational expenditures that support these activities. TABLE 15. Average Library Output Characteristics per $1,000 of Expenditures by Population Group All Libraries Visits per $1000 of Expenditures Circulation per $1000 of Expenditures Program Attendance per $1000 of Expenditures Reference Transactions per $1000 of Expenditures In-Library Use per $1000 of Expenditures Registered Borrowers per $1000 of Expenditures under 5,000 5,000-9,999 10,000-24,999 25,000-49,999 50,000-99, , , , , , ,999 1,000,0000 and more Technology Use and availability of technology in Libraries is an important part of the PLDS survey. This set of questions was unchanged from the previous year and provides useful comparative results, listed in descending ranked order according to the percentage of libraries that confirmed they provide the technology service. TABLE 16. Libraries Offering Technology Equipment Technology Equipment Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes Circulate other equipment* Circulate e-book readers Circulate laptops Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Automated materials handling system Circulate MP3 players Circulate tablets Circulate video game consoles

19 TABLE 17. Libraries offering web-based information and services Web-based Information and Services Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes Does your library have a library website? Library web site offers Program information/events calendar OPAC/online catalog Community links Social networking Library-purchased online database Children/young adult page(s) Meets ADA accessibility standards Library staff created content Virtual reference services Library friends' page(s) Library apps for mobile devices RSS feeds Ability for patrons to add book reviews to the catalog Content in languages other than English User-driven content Online book clubs/discussion forums Streaming live programs TABLE 18. Libraries Offering Wireless Internet Access and Digital Content Wireless Internet Access and Digital Content Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes Number of Reporting Libraries Percentage Yes WIFI inside (wireless internet access) WIFI outside (wireless internet access) Does your library track usage of subscription

20 databases? Access to locally-produced digitized collections? Technology equipment available in libraries showed an increase in each category except automated systems. Tablets (127), Video game consoles (60), ebook Readers (55), and other equipment (15), e.g., wattage readers, and laptops (10) posted the largest increases in the percentage of libraries confirming they offer these technologies compared to last year s results. Among the many website offerings, Library apps for mobile devices (32) showed the largest increase and User driven content (10) and Streaming live programs made modest increases in the percentage of libraries confirming they offer these services. Meanwhile in terms of responding libraries a smaller percentage (12) indicated they offer WIFI inside while WIFI outside, tracking of subscription databases and access to local digitized content were unchanged in proportion of libraries offering these services. Special Section: Facilities Survey A report summarizing results from the Facilities Survey questions included in the PLDS 2013 special section is posted online at the PLAmetrics website ( If you would like to be notified of additional information about these results and future surveys, please contact pla@countingopinions.com or complete the notification form on the PLAmetrics web site PLDS Survey The 2014 PLDS survey (FY2013 results) runs from January to April To participate please visit the PLAmetrics website ( or send an to pla@countingopinions.com for more information. The PLDS continues to capture timely and relevant data about public library trends. PLA encourages libraries to use this data to enhance their decision making and advocacy efforts. We also encourage your comments and feedback. And once again, thank you to all of the responding libraries who took the time to participate.