For immediate release | September 23, 2025

PLA seeks responses to 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has opened its annual survey and invites all U.S. public libraries to participate. The 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey aims to better understand how public libraries across the nation serve and contribute to sustaining their communities now and into the future. The survey gathers information about public libraries’ programs, services, partnerships, and facilities that are geared towards meeting needs and fostering resilient communities.

The survey is open now through Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win either a $100 gift card to Bookshop.org or a free PLA 2026 Conference registration and travel stipend for a library staff member. PLA will announce the winning libraries in January 2026.

“Now that we’ve seen how library staffing currently stands in our most recent Staff Survey, it’s time for us to see the scope of library programs nationwide,” said PLA President Dr. Brandy McNeil. “Seeing the full spectrum of ways in which libraries serve their communities, be it through events, services, or partnerships, is incredibly valuable for all of us.”

“By digging into the data to highlight both growth and areas for improvement, the Public Library Association aims to provide this survey as a tool for its members and public libraries across the country. I urge all public libraries to participate and contribute to our collective learning.”

The survey was first developed in 2022 by the PLA Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment Advisory Group in response to field-wide discussions and interest in actionable data about library programs, services, facilities, and partnerships. These types of questions are among those most frequently asked by policymakers, funders, and members of the media.

Key findings from the 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey:

The top three areas public libraries are currently addressing fall within the core service areas of literacy and educational achievement (84.7%), digital equity (66.6%), and civic engagement (62.4%).
The majority of libraries (68%) offer elections services, such as voter registration, ballot drop-off, or serving as a polling place.
Almost all libraries (99%) have summer reading programs for children, teens, and/or adults, which support learning outside of school.
Services such as those for GED/diploma students (provided by 59% of libraries) and English language learners (provided by 46% of libraries) support adult learning and literacy.
98% of libraries have at least one partnership, with schools or school districts being the most common (89.7%). Partnerships are more likely to be informal (95%) than formal (59%).
Libraries face constraints such as staffing (73.4%), funding (40.7%), space (25.4%), and low attendance (14.3%).

Library staff may email plabenchmark@ala.org with any questions about the survey or for assistance accessing the library’s Benchmark account. The 2025 survey is one of a set of three annual topical surveys gathering unique data that complement the annual IMLS Public Libraries Survey (PLS) and state library surveys. PLA will publish a report of national findings within the year after the data is submitted. Reports on previous survey results can be found on the PLA website, including the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey report. Learn more about the 2024 survey results – and why your library should participate in the 2025 survey – in a free webinar on Sept. 25, 2025. You can register here.

Explore all of PLA’s Data-Driven Librarianship resources at https://www.ala.org/pla/data.

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About the Public Library Association

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.

Contact:

Larra Clark

PLA Deputy Director

Public Library Association

lclark@ala.org

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