New public library data from PLA available online

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has announced that data collected for the 2012 Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report Survey is now available exclusively online at PLAmetrics.

The 2012 PLDS Statistical Report reflects input from more than 1,300 participating public libraries throughout the U.S. and Canada. The data includes details on public library finances, resources, annual use figures, technology and more. It can be employed for peer comparisons, benchmarking and/or trend analyses, as well as to meet local, custom needs.

Subscribers to PLAmetrics can access PLDS data (2002-2011) and public-use IMLS data (1998-2009) and then take advantage of convenient templated or customizable reporting features. Reports are automatically generated in real time and from the perspective of the requesting library. The report(s) can, if desired, be further modified and saved in the library's reports folder for later recall and use.

PLDS data will only be available in the online database this year. After more than 20 years of publishing an annual PLDS Survey Report book, and following much consideration of member input, production costs, environmental factors and more, PLA has decided to offer only the digital database this year. The digital database provides all the information of the print publication along with the flexibility and usefulness of multi-year data and dynamic, and customizable, functionality. If you and your library have typically purchased the print version, we hope you’ll consider giving the digital database a try and seeing the enhancements for yourself. If you have pre-ordered the PLDS book, your order form will be returned to you. If you have questions, please contact Kathleen Hughes, khughes@ala.org.

For more information and to purchase a one-year subscription ($250) to the PLDS online database, please go to www.plametrics.org. PLAmetrics is managed by Counting Opinions. For an in-depth look attend the PLAmetrics Demonstration and User Group meeting at the ALA Annual Conference (10:30 a.m.-noon, Sunday, June 24, Salon 1 of the Hyatt Regency Orange County.)

For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s website at www.pla.org. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.