Public Library Services for Strong Communities: Results from PLA’s 2025 Survey

Learn about the results from the 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey, including key information on the public library programs, services, partnerships, and facilities geared towards meeting needs and fostering resilient communities. The results address questions about the types of age-specific programs libraries are offering, whether libraries' services and partnerships are delivered formally or informally, and the recent updates to library facilities including new builds and mobile service outlets. The powerful, actionable evidence from the Services Survey supports planning and advocacy at the local, state, and national level. Presenters share how your library can use the survey report and PLA’s data tools to understand and improve your library’s performance, demonstrate value, and increase impact in your community.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify current trends in public library programs, services, and facilities;
• Consider application of the survey results at the local level and through peer comparisons; and
• Preview relevant Benchmark visualizations and make a plan to participate in future PLA surveys.

Additional Resources

• Slideshow (PDF)
• Links shared during the webinar:
  • Aging Together Project
  • ALA Sustainability Round Table
  • Sustainable Libraries Initiative
  • Libraries Count
    Libraries Count: Ensuring Continuity in Nationwide Public Library Data Collection is a proactive planning initiative of the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL).
• Access PLA’s Topical Surveys and Reports
• Benchmark Information Page
• Public Library Use Cases
  Four use cases demonstrating how public libraries could use Benchmark in practice.
• Data Tools for Groups and States (December 2023)
  Contact PLA if your group/consortia/state would like to subscribe its members to Benchmark.
• Chat Transcript (PDF)
• Questions? Email: plabenchmark@ala.org

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for public library directors and administrators, as well as all library staff making data-driven decisions about programs and services.

Panelists

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd (she/her) has been the public services director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights (OH) Public Library for fourteen years. In this role, she supervises eight public service managers directly, as well as leads all public service activities. Outcome measurement and data analysis are critical tools in her daily work. She has delivered educational programs on both a local and state level. Kim is currently serving as co-chair of PLA’s Measurement, Evaluation and Assessment Advisory Group, and as a member of PLA’s Continuing Education Advisory Group, ALA’s Membership Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Ohio Library Council.

Sara Goek (she/her) is project manager, data and research with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Public Library Association (PLA), divisions of the American Library Association (ALA). She supports data-related initiatives, including the annual surveys, Benchmark, and Project Outcome. Sara holds a PhD in history/digital arts and humanities from University College Cork.

Katina Jones (she/her) is the program manager for evaluation and assessment at the Public Library Association (PLA). She supports PLA's data tools, annual topical surveys, and other data and evaluation work. Katina started her library career working as the state data coordinator at the Missouri State Library, followed by nearly nine years as the data analyst at one of that state's largest suburban public libraries.