The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can
be viewed on the agency's Web site at
http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/121108b.shtm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2008
Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask]
National Meetings on Library Statistics
Washington, DC-On December 5, the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS) convened the first meeting of the Library Statistics
Working Group. Members of the working group are charged with advising
IMLS on the conduct of national public library and state library data
collections.
At the first meeting, the Working Group discussed the vision for the
IMLS statistics program. Members of the group identified priorities,
policy areas, and issues for future IMLS data analysis and briefs. They
also discussed new data elements, methods for improving the usefulness
of data, and development of new library statistics products. The Working
Group will meet twice a year with bi-monthly conference calls. The next
meeting will be held in summer 2009. Members of the group include:
* John C. Bertot, Center for Innovation, University of Maryland;
* Hulen Bivins, State Data Coordinator, Alabama Public Library Service;
* Howard Boksenbaum, State Librarian, Rhode Island Department of
Administration;
* Ira Bray, State Data Coordinator, California State Library;
* Dianne Carty, State Data Coordinator, Massachusetts Board of Library
Commissioners;
* Denise Davis, American Library Association Office for Research and
Statistics;
* Martha Kyrillidou, Association of Research Libraries;
* Suzanne Miller, State Librarian, Minnesota State Library Services;
* Frank Nelson, State Data Coordinator, Idaho Commission for Libraries,
* Wayne Onkst, State Librarian, Kentucky Department for Libraries and
Archives;
* Timothy Owens, State Data Coordinator, State Library of North
Carolina;
* Peggy Rudd, State Librarian, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission;
* Carol Tenopir, School of Information Sciences, University of
Tennessee;
* Chris Walker, Local Initiative Support Corporation; and
* Jan Walsh, State Librarian, Washington State Library
State Data Coordinators Meeting
The inaugural Working Group meeting followed a two-day conference of
state data coordinators with representatives from 46 states and the
District of Columbia. The purpose of the conference was to train new
state data coordinators and provide a forum to discuss survey data
elements and data quality assurance. The keynote speaker, Kathryn Pettit
of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, spoke about trends
in the use of local data for community change and provided case examples
from the library community where local data was used for strategic
program planning. Other session topics included:
* data analysis seminars with Compare Public Libraries and Data Place
tool demonstration;
* demonstration of local use of public library data;
* an information session on sampling for the Public Library Survey;
* discussion and comment session on IMLS library report plans for 2009;
* discussion of the State Library Agency Survey; and
* a return-on-investment seminar.
At the conference, IMLS Director Anne-Imelda M. Radice presented the
Keppel Award to states for submitting prompt, complete, and high-quality
public library data. A total of 36 states received the award this year
for FY 2007 data submissions. The award was presented to eight new State
Data Coordinators and four new Chief Officers. This is the 18th year for
the Keppel award, which is named after Francis Keppel, a U.S.
Commissioner of Education, who served from 1962 to 1965. He also served
as a distinguished member of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries
and Information Science (NCLIS) from 1978 to 1983.
One of IMLS's highest priorities is the timely release of data. IMLS is
working with the U.S. Census Bureau to make data available as quickly as
possible. IMLS has released the following data this year:
* The FY 2007 State Library Agencies Survey data released on October 2,
2008.
* The FY 2006 PLS data files released on November 18, 2008.
* The FY2007 State Library Agencies report released on November 26,
2008.
The FY 2006 Public Libraries Survey (PLS) report will be available
online later this month, with the FY 2007 PLS data files to be released
in spring 2009.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
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