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• Scholarly Communication & Libraries 
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  • PLDS Statistical Report
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Public Library Data Service Statistical Report

Published annually since 1988, the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report has been managed by the Library Research Center (now CIRSS) on behalf of the Public Library Association (PLA). CIRSS is responsible for administering both Web-based and print surveys to a random sample of over a thousand libraries across the country. Data collection and analysis is also performed in-house at CIRSS. The PLDS report presents exclusive, timely data on library finances, library resources, annual use figures, and technology. In addition to these subjects, each year's survey contains a section that is devoted to rotating topics and current issues.

CIRSS also provides a customized data service tailored to the individual needs of both PLA and non-PLA member libraries. Data from past reports is also available for analysis. For more information about customized reports, please visit the PLA Web site for the statistical report or contact CIRSS at .

In addition to producing the print PLDS publication, CIRSS created an online, interactive database for PLDS data in June 2007. Users can to view all 2006 and 2007 survey report data online in interactive charts and data. Survey results are exportable into Excel and PDF file formats. Two-year trends and individual library and PLDS section reports are also available. For more information about the PLDS Online Database, please see the PLDS order form or visit the PLDS Web site.

Note: Correction to PLDS 2006 Report covering 2005 data. The summary table titled FY 2005 Children's Materials Expenditures as Percentage of Total Materials Expenditures incorrectly displays FY 2005 Children's Materials Expenditures as a Percentage of Total Expenditures rather than Total Materials Expenditures. A corrected table displaying the correct data is available at http://cirss.lis.uiuc.edu/pdf/section6-childrensservicescompchartmatexpvv2008.pdf.