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/2008/100208.shtm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2008

IMLS Press Contacts 202-653-4632 Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@PROTECTED Mamie Bittner, mbittner@PROTECTED

IMLS Releases FY 07 State Library Agency Data

WASHINGTON, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is pleased to announce the early release of data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, a voluntary survey conducted annually by IMLS. The FY 2007 StLA Survey is the 14th in the series.

"These data files provide valuable information on the vast array of community services provided by State Library Agencies in the United States. Policymakers, practitioners, data users, and library patrons will find this information particularly useful," said Mamie Bittner, Deputy Director of IMLS's Office of Policy, Planning, Research, and Communications. \xA0 The FY 2007 survey collected data on 278 items, including state library agency identification, governance, public service hours, service outlets, collections, library service transactions, library development transactions, services to other libraries in the state, allied operations, staff, revenue, expenditures, and electronic services and information. The survey's 100 percent response rate results from the cooperative effort between the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), IMLS, and the Census Bureau.

A complete national picture of library service is captured through: * data collected on state library agency services to public, academic, school, and special libraries, and library cooperatives, * data collected through the National Center for Education Statistics survey of academic and school libraries and, * IMLS's survey of public libraries.

IMLS library survey activities will be designed to address high-priority library data needs; provide consistent, reliable, complete, and accurate indicators of the status and trends of state and public libraries; and report timely, useful, and high-quality data to the U.S. Congress, the states, other education policymakers, practitioners, data users, and the general public.

The early data release will be followed later this fall with the State Library Agency Report for FY2007, which includes findings, background information, and tables providing an overview of state library agencies.

For more information on library statistics, visit http://www.imls.gov/statistics. The data is available in Access and Flat (ascii) File format at: http://harvester.census.gov/imls/data/stla/index.asp. The data documentation that supports the FY 2007 data file is also available in PDF format at: http://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/Publications/istla07a.pdf

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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