Public Library Data 1991

The Public Library Data 1991 files must be installed on a PC/MS DOS based
system.  A minimum of 4,500,000 bytes of available hard drive space is required.
The PUBLIB91.EXE file is a self-extracting file that expands when extracted from
the diskette to the hard drive.  For the following instructions C: refers to the
prompt of the destination hard drive on which the files will be stored, and A:
refers to the source floppy drive that contains the Public Library Data 1991
diskette.  To install from a drive other than A: or to a drive other than C:,
simply substitute the appropriate letter in the command.  The colon following
each drive letter is required.

Installing the Public Library Data 1991 Diskette on your Hard Drive

1. From the DOS prompt, make C: your destination hard drive.  Type C: and press
   the Enter key.

2. Ensure that there is sufficient disk space (4,500,000 bytes) on the
   destination hard drive.  Type CHKDSK and press the Enter key.

3. Make a destination directory on the C: drive for storing the Public Library
   Data 1991 files.  From the DOS prompt, type MD LIBDATA and press the Enter
   key.

4. Move to the destination directory on the C: drive.  Type CD \LIBDATA and
   press the Enter key.

5. Place the Public Library Data 1991 disk in the A: drive (the source floppy
   drive).

6. This final step loads the Public Library Data 1991 files onto the C: drive.
   Type A:PUBLIB91 and press the Enter key.


Printing README91.TXT File Instructions

These instructions describe how to print the README91.TXT file using DOS, but
you may use any method you are familiar with to print the file.

1. Before trying to print the README.TXT file, install the Public Library Data
   1991 diskette (See above).

2. From the DOS prompt, change to the C: drive.  Type C: and press the Enter key.

3. Make \LIBDATA your current directory.  Type CD \LIBDATA and press the Enter
   key.

4. Copy the README91.TXT file to your printer.  Issue the copy command with the
   I/O port (to which your printer is attached) specification as the
   destination.  For example, type COPY README91.TXT LPT1 and press the Enter
   key.

   Valid values for the I/O port are:
           Parallel Ports: PRN, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3
           Serial Ports: COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PART I - SURVEY SUMMARY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE
         Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. DESCRIPTION
               The Federal/State Cooperative System for Public Library Data
 collected 32 basic data items for each public library and 7 identifying items.
 The data items include number of service outlets, number of full-time
 equivalent staff, operating income, operating expenditures, capital outlays,
 size of library collection, annual public service hours, attendance, number of
 reference transactions, total annual circulation transactions, and number of
 inter library loans.  In addition, FSCS collected background information on
 characteristics of states' FSCS submissions.  All 50 States and the District of
 Columbia (D.C.) are included in this file, which encompasses 9,050 public
 libraries.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. SURVEY METHODOLOGY    See appendix A.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. UNIVERSE OR SAMPLE                 | 2. RESPONDENTS
                                      |
   Universe: See appendix A,          |       9,050 libraries
             Universe
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. DATE OF COVERAGE                   | 4. FREQUENCY OF   | 5. RESPONSE RATE
                                      | SURVEY            |
   See appendix A, Reporting Period   |          Annual   |        99%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. HIGHLIGHTS
                     The 9,152 records include 51 summary records and 51
  characteristics records (one for each State and the District of Columbia,
  plus data for the 9,050 public libraries).  In addition, there is a ASCII
  file containing the database documentation.  There are also three blank
  Dbase III files containing only data base structures used for import.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. RELATED STUDIES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SURVEYS

   1988 FSCS public library survey
   1989 FSCS public library survey
   1990 FSCS public library survey

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. PUBLICATIONS

   Public Libraries in Forty-Four States and the District of Columbia: 1988
   (Working paper and data file)

   Public Libraries in 50 States and the District of Columbia: 1989 (E.D. Tabs
   and data file)

   Public Libraries in the U.S.: 1990 (E.D. Tabs and data file)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE

   Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME

     README91.TXT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS

This ASCII file contains the database documentation including Methodology,
User Guidelines For Processing Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS) Public
Libraries Data, 1991, Record Layouts For 1991 Public Library Data File, Data
Element Specifications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     ASCII
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. FILE DIMENSIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT

     80 column                                 ASCII
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE

    1 record per block                       80 column
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT

        lines
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

      N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE

   Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME

   PLCHR91.TXT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS

 This ASCII file contains final edited background information on characteristics
 of the FSCS submission for each state and District of Columbia.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     ASCII

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. FILE DIMENSIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT

    26                                        Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE

    1 record per block                       26
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT

     51
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

    The records are sorted by the field PUB_FIPS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE

   Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME

   PUBLIB91.TXT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS

This ASCII file contains final edited data for 9,050 public libraries

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     ASCII
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. FILE DIMENSIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT

    431                                       Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE

    1 record per block                       431
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT

     9,050
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

    The records are sorted by the field PUB_FIPS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE
    Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME
    PLSUM91.TXT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 D. DISK STATUS
 This ASCII file contains final edited data summarized for each of the
 50 States and the District of Columbia.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     ASCII
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. FILE DIMENSIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT
    486                                       Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE
     1 record per block                        486
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT
     51
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

     The records are sorted by the field PUB_FIPS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE

   Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME

   PLCHR91.DBF
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS

The file contains a blank Dbase data base structure used for import with
the PLCHR91.TXT file.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     Dbase
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. FILE DIMENSIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT

    26                                        Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE

    1 record per block                       26
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT

     0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

    N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE

   Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME

   PUBLIB91.DBF
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS
The file contains a blank Dbase data base structure used for import with
the PUBLIB91.TXT file.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     Dbase

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. FILE DIMENSIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT

    431                                       Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE

    1 record per block                       431
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT

     0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

    N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DATA BASE DOCUMENTATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            PART II - FILE DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. TITLE
    Public libraries data, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. FILE NAME
    PLSUM91.DBF
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TAPE SERIAL NUMBER

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. DISK STATUS
The file contains a blank Dbase data base structure used for import with
the PLSUM91.TXT file.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. STANDARD TAPE SPECIFICATIONS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NUMBER OF TRACKS                   |  2. DENSITY
                                      |
                                      |      5 1/4" disk
                                      |      Double sided, High Density
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. PARITY                             |  4. LABEL(S)
                                      |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CODE CONVENTION

     Dbase
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. FILE DIMENSIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RECORD LENGTH                         2. RECORD FORMAT
    486                                      Fixed block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. BLOCKING FACTOR                       4. MAXIMIZE BLOCK SIZE
     1 record per block                        486
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. RECORD COUNT
     0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. SEQUENCE

     N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------







                                    APPENDIX A:


                                    Methodology

                                    Methodology

Introduction

This data diskette contains 1991 data for 9,050 public libraries in 50 States
and the District of Columbia and 51 state summary records.  This information
was supplied to NCES by state library agencies in machine-readable form through
the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) for public library data.  These
data were collected under the fourth annual census of FSCS in July of 1992.
FSCS collected 7 identifying items and 32 basic data items for each public
library.  The basic data items include data on service outlets, FTE staff,
operating income and expenditures, capital outlay, size of library collection,
and service measures such as public service hours, circulation, reference
transactions, and interlibrary loans.   Appendix B provides guidelines for
using the diskettes and a record layout for each variable on the file.  Both
individual library records and state summary records are in the same format.

FSCS is a cooperative system through which states submit individual public
library data to NCES on a voluntary basis.  At the state level, FSCS is
administered by State Data Coordinators, each one appointed by the Chief Officer
of the State Library Agency.  The State Data Coordinator collects the requested
data from local public libraries and submits these data to NCES.  In the 1992
submission year, all 50 states and the District of Columbia submitted data.

The Universe

The respondents for this voluntary census were the 9,050 public libraries
identified in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, by state library
agencies.  Data were not systematically collected from public libraries on
Indian reservations.  Data were not collected from military libraries that
provide public library services.

Data Collection and Use of Technology

Data requested by the FSCS are usually only part of the data most states
collect from their local public libraries.  Generally, states collect these
data using paper forms, rather than in machine readable form.

For reporting to NCES, State Data Coordinators used the 4th version of a
personal computer software, known as DECTOP (data entry, conversion, table,
output program).  States used DECTOP for direct data entry (from questionnaires
used with the local public libraries) and/or to assemble their existing machine
readable data in a given format (e.g. Lotus 1-2-3, dBase, or ASCII).  States
also used DECTOP to edit their data before submitting them to NCES on diskette.
DECTOP was then used by NCES to merge files from all 50 states and the District
of Columbia, edit them, and produce the tables for NCES' annual ED TABS*1.

-------------------------
  *1Public Libraries in the United States; 1991.  Washington, D.C., 1993.


                                         1

Follow-up and Editing

NCES has a permanent system for internal (state) and external (NCES) review of
FSCS data entry and of the editing process.  Prior to data submission, NCES, its
contractors, and members of the FSCS Steering Committee provided technical
assistance to states.  Some pre-editing of local public library data was
completed by some State Data Coordinators.


State Level

During data entry, DECTOP automatically performed error checks and provided
error messages and warnings to the user.  The user was alerted to four types of
errors based on criteria specified in advance.   Relational errors indicated
that two or more related data elements were not within an acceptable calculated
limit, for instance, if "Total Operating Expenditures" were less than 75 percent
of "Total Operating Income".  Another example of a relational error was if the
number of librarians with a masters degree from a graduate library education
program accredited by the American Library Association, "ALA-MLS" was greater
than "Total Librarians".

Out-of-range error messages were provided (e.g., "Average Public Service Hours
per Outlet is less than 10").  In addition, DECTOP software automatically
checked reported totals by summing particular sections during data entry, to
verify that totals were correct.  An historical data check also was performed
automatically.  This step compared changes in data reported for certain data
elements between 1991 and 1992 submission years.  Changes outside an acceptable
range were identified.  For additional information on editing, see appendix 1,
which provides listings of DECTOP software data error messages and historical
data check criteria.

States could also perform data editing after data entry, generating an output
error listing.  States could also generate state summary tables.  These DECTOP
features allowed states to correct their data before submitting them to NCES.
After State Data Coordinators prepared the FSCS submissions, Chief Officers of
State Library Agencies signed forms authorizing their state's submission.  In
August and September 1992, NCES, with the assistance of the FSCS Steering
Committee, systematically performed nonresponse followup of states.


National level

NCES staff conducted two major data editing operations, working directly with
State Data Coordinators and the FSCS Steering Committee. Throughout the data
collection and nonresponse followup period, as states' submissions were
received, NCES ran DECTOP edits (the same error and historical checks described
above) and in cases where errors were suspected mailed the results to each state
for verification, correction, and comment.  This effort highlighted data quality
issues for states.  After the files for the 50 states and the District of
Columbia were merged, preliminary ED tabulations were run and reviewed by NCES
and the FSCS Steering Committee in October and November l992.  Simultaneously,
each State Data Coordinator was provided his/her own state's data in tabular
form for correction, comment, and final review prior to publication.

                                            2

Finally, NCES staff, with the assistance of Dr. E. Walter Terrie of the Center
for Study of Population, Florida State University, performed systematic analysis
of missing entries and data "outliers".  In addition, NCES staff performed an
item by item comparison of the l990 and l991 data.  These analyses together with
comments from the FSCS Steering Committee from their October, l992 meeting
formed the basis of telephone followup by members of the FSCS Steering Committee
with individual states, completed in early January, l993.


Unit Response

Of the 9,050 public libraries identified by the states, 66 public libraries, or
less than 1 percent, provided some identifying information (data elements 1-7),
but answered zero or provided no data for all of the remaining items (data
elements 8-41).  Note that these 66 public libraries are included among the
9,050 public libraries on the diskette.


Item Response

Some states did not collect all FSCS data elements from their local public
libraries, and some public libraries did not respond to all the FSCS data
elements requested by their states.  In general, item response rates have
increased from 1990 to 1991.  NCES guidelines note that variables with more than
30 percent missing data should not be used in analysis.  For nationwide totals,
response rates did not fall below 70 percent for any variable.  For statewide
totals, there are some instances in which response rates did fall below 70
percent and these data should be used with caution, as discussed below.


Caveats for Using these Data

     Using the Data to Make Comparisons

Estimates of totals, averages and ratios depend significantly on the impact of
nonresponse.  Totals can be significantly underestimated if the size of
nonresponse is large.  The effect of nonresponse on averages is less predictable
since bias in averages depends on the distribution on nonresponding libraries on
the item in question.  The data user is urged to take response rates into
account when making inferences or forming conclusions.

In computing ratios of one data element to another, only data for those public
libraries responding to both data elements should be used in the computation.
The number of public libraries responding to both data elements may be different
from the number responding to the individual data elements.

Because of variable response rates among states, and, as detailed below,
differences in reporting period and definitions used by states, comparisons
across categories, states, or with previously published data should be made with
caution.  For example, because response rates for l99l data were higher than
those for l989 or l990, totals in l991 will generally be larger than comparable
totals in l989 or l990, due simply to an increase in the number of libraries
reporting.

While not a state, the District of Columbia is included in this report.  Because
it is served by only one public library system, special care should be used in
making comparisons between the District of Columbia and one or more states, as
one would use in comparing city data to state data.

                                         3

   Reporting Period

One methodological issue in using these data is the time period covered by the
data.  The FSCS definition for reporting period used in this data collection was
the latest 12 months for which data were available for each public library.
This definition allowed for several different reporting periods within a state
and among states.  There were 9 different reporting periods used by states for
these 1991 data.  Collectively, these spanned a 3-year time period (January 3l,
1989 - December 31, 1991).  These reporting periods are provided below along
with the names of states that reported under each time period.  Texas provided
1990 rather than 1991 data.  Four states provided 12 months of data for each
public library, that covered a l6-18 month time span.  Three states provided
12 months of data for each public library, that covered a 21-24 month time span.
Because of the lack of a consistent time period it is recommended that the data
user exercise caution in comparing data between individual states.


                            STATES BY REPORTING DATE

01/90-06/91      07/90-06/91     10/90-09/91     01/91-12/91    Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA               AK      MT          AL              CO         ME (03/90-06/91)
VT               AZ      NV          DC              IL         MI (01/90-09/91)
                 AR      NH          FL              IN         NE (01/90-10/91)
                 CA      NM          ID              KS         TX (01/89-12/90)
                 CT      NC          MS              LA         UT (07/90-12/91)
                 DE      OK                          MN
                 GA      OR                          NJ
                 HI      RI                          NY
                 IA      SC                          ND
                 KY      TN                          OH
                 MD      VA                          SD
                 MA      WV                          WA
                 MO      WY                          WI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Data Element Specifications

This census collected data on 39 data elements, including 32 basic data items
and 7 library identification fields.  The FSCS data element specifications for
this data collection are shown in appendix D, Data Element Specifications for
FY 91 data.

The data element specifications actually used by some states in collecting data
from their local public libraries, however, may not be consistent with FSCS data
element specifications.  A subcommittee of the FSCS Steering Committee is
working on consistency of definitions among states.


               Public Library Definition

The FSCS definition of a public library for this data collection was "an entity
that provides all of the following:  a.)  an organized collection of printed or
other library materials, or a combination thereof; b.) a staff to provide and

                                    4

such interpret materials as required to meet the informational, cultural,
recreational, and educational needs of a clientele; c.) an established schedule
in which services of the staff are available to clientele; and d.) the
facilities necessary to support such a collection, staff, and schedule.  A
public library is established under state enabling laws or regulations to serve
the residents of a community, district, or region."

For purposes of the FSCS data collection, however, state law prevails in the
identification of a public library and not all states' definitions are the same
as the FSCS definition.

     Population of the Legal Service Areas

There are significant methodological differences in the ways states calculate
both duplicated and unduplicated population of the legal service areas.  The
time periods for which these population counts are made also varies.

Another methodological issue is that the calculated total for population of the
legal service area of each library in a state may, in some cases exceed the
state's population.  This is because adjacent libraries may count the same
population.  For example, a county library and a city library within the county
may both receive income from the same city, so both may serve and count the same
population.

Therefore, because the same population has been counted twice, calculated totals
for reported population of the legal service areas by state or for the nation
may exceed their actual populations. For this reason, each state library agency
was asked to provide an unduplicated population of the legal service areas to
replace the calculated total for population of the legal service areas.
Unduplicated population of legal service areas is the total unduplicated
population of those areas in a state that receive public library service.  The
populations of unserved areas are not included in this figure.  Unduplicated
population of legal service areas figures were calculated individually by each
state using a variety of methodologies.

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia either provided no figure for
unduplicated population of the legal service areas or provided the same figure
as they provided for reported population of the legal service areas.  These
twenty-two states were Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin,
and Wyoming.

Except for the 22 states listed above and the District of Columbia, all other
states provided an unduplicated count that was different from the duplicated
count for population of the legal service areas.  There are some states in which
the reported unduplicated population of legal service areas exceeds the
calculated state total for population of legal service areas.  Often, this
difference can be attributed to item nonresponse for individual public libraries
used in the calculated state total for population of legal service areas.



                                 5

For calculations involving population of legal service areas (per capita, per
l,000 population) an unduplicated population of legal services area for each
library is available on the file (See Record Layout for l99l Public Library Data
File, "POPU_UNDUP").  This was derived by prorating the individual library's
duplicated population of legal service area count to the state's duplicated
count and applying that ratio to the state's unduplicated population of legal
service areas.


Additional Information

Additional information on public library statistics can be obtained from Carrol
Kindel or Adrienne Chute, Postsecondary Education Statistics Division, National
Center for Education Statistics, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20208-5652; telephone (202) 219-1371 or 219-1772.


Acknowledgments

The production of a census of this magnitude has been a team effort.  It would
not have been accomplished without the  support of the following individuals
and organizations:  the local public librarians who provided the data; the FSCS
State Data Coordinators, who coordinated the data at the state level; and the
Chief Officers of State library Agencies.  Thanks also to present and past
members of the FSCS Steering Committee which led the effort.  They are Darla
Cottrill, State Library of Ohio; Jan Feye-Stukas, Minnesota Department of
Education; Keith Curry Lance, Colorado State Library; Libby Law, South Carolina
State Library; Mary Jo Lynch, American Library Association; Joseph Shubert,
New York State Library; E. Walter Terrie, Florida State University; Jan Walsh,
Washington State Library; Gerry Rowland, State Library of Iowa; Peggy Rudd,
Virginia State Library & Archives; Carrol Kindel, NCES; Ron Hall, NCES; Paul
Planchon, NCES; John Lorenz, NCLIS; Peter Young, NCLIS; and Mary Alice Hedge
Reszetar, NCLIS.  Others who contributed to this effort include:  the American
Library Association (ALA), the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA),
the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS),
subcontractors Pinkerton (John Wunderly), and Peace Technology (Andrew Chen),
and Kim Miller, NCLIS.  Thanks to one and all for your enthusiastic support.










                                      6











                                  APPENDIX I:


                       Data Error Messages and Historical
                               Data Check Criteria

               DATA ERROR MESSAGES AND HISTORICAL DATA CHECK CRITERIA

DATA ERROR MESSAGES

Note that this appendix applies primarily to error and warning messages
generated during the data import error/warning check process.  On-screen error/
warning messages (those seen while entering data via DECTOP's keyboard data
entry option) are similar, but not identical.  This is because, during keyboard
data entry, the entry of a '-2' (i.e.leaving a data element blank) is not
permitted.  During data import, DECTOP can not force the user to enter valid
data-it can only warn the user about the "blank data" condition.  Thus the
difference is that it is possible to import blank data, or '-2' with a warning,
but during keyboard data entry, this is not possible.

NO. ERROR MESSAGE                         ERROR CONDITION(S)

00  No Lib Id# provided. DECTOP will      This item has been left blank.
    create one for you ....               DECTOP will automatically assign a
                                          system generated LIB ID#.

01  Library Name is blank                 This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

02  Address or City is blank              One or both of these items has been
                                          left blank or is -2.

03  Zip1 is blank or not valid            This item has been left blank, is
                                          -2, or is not a valid 5-digit number.

04  Zip2 (Zip+4) is blank or not valid    This item has been left blank, is -2,
                                          or is not a valid 4-digit number.

05  Phone number is blank or not valid    This item has been left blank, is 2,
                                          or is not a valid 10-digit number.

06  Population of legal service           This item has been left blank, is -2,
    area is 0 or blank                    or is 0.

07  No service outlets are shown          The sum of centrals, branches and
                                          bookmobiles is 0.

08  Only one service outlet shown and     Only one service outlet it shown, and
    it is not a central                   it is not a central library.

09  ALA-MLS is blank                      This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

10  Total librarians is blank             This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

11  Other paid employees is blank         This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

12  Total paid employees is 0 or blank    This item has been left blank, is -2,
                                          or is 0.

13  ALA-MLS is greater than total         The number of ALA-MLS is greater than
    librarians.                           total librarians.

14  Local government income is blank      This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

15  State government income is blank      This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

16  Federal government income is          This item has been left blank or is
    blank                                 -2.

17  Other income is blank                 This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

18  Total operating income is 0 or        This item has been left blank, is -2,
    blank                                 or is 0.  If any of the four parts
                                          were entered, a total would have been
                                          automatically calculated.

19  Total operating income is not         Total operating income is not equal to
    equal to the sum of the parts         the sum of local government, state
                                          government, federal government and
                                          other income.

20  No longer used.                       No longer used.

21  Salaries & wages is blank             This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

22  Employee benefits is blank            This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

23  Total staff expenditures is 0 or      This item has been left blank, is -2,
    blank                                 or is 0.  If either or both of the
                                          parts were entered, a total would have
                                          been automatically calculated.

24  Total staff expenditures is not       Total staff expenditures is not equal
    equal to the sum of the parts         to the sum of salaries & wages and
                                          employee benefits.

25  Collection expenditures is blank      This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

26  Other operating expenditures is       This item has been left blank or is
    blank                                 -2.

27  Total operating expenditures is 0     This item has been left blank, is -2,
    or blank                              or is 0.  If either of the parts were
                                          entered, a total would have been
                                          automatically calculated.

28  Total operating expenditures is       Total operating expenditures is not
    not equal to the sum of the parts     equal to the sum of total staff
                                          expenditures, collection expenditures
                                          and other operating expenditures.

29  Total operating income is less        Total operating income is less than
    than 75% of total operating exp       75% of total operating expenditures.

30 Total operating exp is less than      Total operating expenditures is less
   75% of total operating income         than 75% of total operating income.

31  Capital outlay is blank               This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

32  Book/serial volumes is 0 or blank     This item has been left blank, is -2,
                                          or is 0.

33  Audio materials is blank              This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

34  Films is blank                        This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

35  Video materials is blank              This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

36  Serial subscriptions is blank         This item has been left blank or is
                                          -2.

37  Annual public service hours is 0      This item has been left blank, is -2,
    or blank                              or is 0.


38  Average public service hrs per        Average weekly public service hours
    outlet per week less than 10          (i.e. Annual public service hours
                                          divided by 52 to convert an annual to
                                          a weekly figure), then divided by the
                                          total number of outlets (the sum of
                                          central libraries, branch libraries
                                          and bookmobiles) is less than 10.0.

39  Average public service hrs per        Average weekly public service hours
    outlet per week more than 75          (i.e. Annual public service hours
                                          divided by 52 to convert an annual to
                                          a weekly figure), then divided by the
                                          total number of outlets (the sum of
                                          central libraries, branch libraries
                                          and bookmobiles) is more than 75.0.

40  Annual attendance in library is       This item has been left blank, is -2,
    0 or blank                            or is 0.


41  Annual reference transactions is      This item has been left blank or is
    blank                                 -2.


42  Annual reference trans per annual     Annual reference transactions per
    attendance is greater 1.0             annual Attendance is greater than 1.0.

43  Total circulation transactions is     This item has been left blank, is -2,
    0 or blank                            or is 0.

44  Total circulation trans per           Total circulation transactions per
    population LSA is less than 1.0       population of legal service area is
                                          less than 1.0.

45  Total circulation trans per           Total circulation transactions per
    population LSA is greater than 20.0   population of legal service area is
                                          greater than 20.0.

46  Total circulation trans per annual    Total circulation transactions per
    attendance is less than 0.5           annual attendance is less than 0.5.

47  Total circulation trans per annual    Total circulation transactions per
    attendance is greater than 6.0        annual attendance is greater than 6.0.

48  Inter-library loans to other          This item has been left blank or is
    libraries is blank                    -2.

49  Inter-library loans from other        This item has been left blank or is
    libraries is blank                    -2.

50  A negative number less than-2 is      A numeric entry of less than -2 is not
    not acceptable                        valid.  As previously stated, -1 is
                                          used to denote notcollected, not
                                          available or not reported, and -2
                                          represents a blank entry.

51  An invalid number or character was    An invalid number or character was
    used.  The record was not imported!   entered, resulting in this record
                                          being rejected during the import
                                          process.  Please correct the problem,
                                          and re-import if necessary.

52  No longer used.                       No longer used.

53  No longer used.                       No longer used.

54  No longer used.                       No longer used.

55  No longer used.                       No longer used.

56  No longer used.                       No longer used.

57  Data out of range--> See Historical   The change in your data for a
    Data Check Criteria                   particular data element from last year
                                          to this year has been determined to be
                                          out of an acceptable range.  See
                                          Historical Data Check Criteria, for
                                          more information.




HISTORICAL DATA CHECK CRITERIA

#   DATA ELEMENT                           ACCEPTABLE RANGE (Inclusive)

08  Population of Legal Service Areas      +25% to -10%

09  Centrals                               +1 or -1

10  Branches                               +2 or -2, OR +15% to -15%

11  Bookmobiles                            +2 or -2, OR +15% to -15%

12  Other Outlets                          +2 or -2, OR +30% to -30%

13  ALA-MLS                                +2 or -2, OR +30% to -30%

14  Total Librarians                       +2 or -2, OR +30% to -30%

15  Other Paid Employees                   +2 or -2 AND +30% to -30%

16  Total Paid Employees                   +2 or -2, OR +30% to -30%

17  Local Government                       +25% to -10%

18  State Government                       +40% to -40%

19  Federal Government                     No criterion

20  Other Income                           No criterion

21  Total Income                           +25% to -10%

22  Salary & Wages Exp                     +20% to -20%, if within +0.5
                                           to -0.5 FTE on Data Element
                                           #16.  Otherwise, no criterion

23  Employee Benefits                      +20% to -20%, if within +0.5
                                           to -0.5 FTE on Data Element
                                           #16.  Otherwise, no criterion

24  Total Staff Exp                        +20% to -20%, if within +0.5
                                           to -0.5 FTE on Data Element
                                           #16.  Otherwise, no criterion

25  Collection Exp                         +30% to -15%

26  Other Operating Exp                    +40% to -10%

27  Total Operating Exp                    +30% to -10%

28  Capital OutlayNo criterion

29  Book/Serial Volume                     +15% to -5%

30  Audio                                  +40% to -10%

31  Films                                  +15% to -30%

32  Video                                  +75% to -10%

33  Subscriptions                          +30% to -10%

34  Unduplicated Hrs                       No longer collected

35  Public Serv Hrs/Yr                     No criterion

36  Attendance                             No criterion

37  In-library Use                         No criterion

38  Reference Transactions                 No criterion

39  Total Circulation                      +25% to -10%

40  Loan To                                No criterion

41  Loan From                              No criterion



                                 APPENDIX B:

   User Guidelines for Processing Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS)
                     Public Libraries Data, 1991

USER GUIDELINES FOR PROCESSING FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM (FSCS)
PUBLIC LIBRARIES DATA, 1991


State Summary Records

A state summary record for each state was created.  The state
summary records can be found in the PLSUM91.TXT file.  Each state
summary record was created by summing the individual data fields for
each state and storing the sum(s) in the appropriate data field(s)
in the state summary record.


Individual Public Library Data

The Public Libraries Data, 1991 file consists of data which were
submitted by state library offices in the 50 states and the District
of Columbia.  The individual public library records can be found in
the PUBLIB91.TXT file.  Each public library record represents a
responding public library.  The public library files are divided
into 11 parts, each corresponding to a part of the Data Entry
Conversion Table Output Program (DECTOP) data entry screen and the
record layout: Identification, Service Outlets, FTE Staff, Operating
Income, Operating Expenditures, Capital Outlay, Library Collection,
Public Service Hours, Library Services, Circulation, Interlibrary
loans.  All records are in a fixed block flat file ASCII format.
This is a standard data format and can be imported into most
software packages.


Characteristics Data

The Characteristics file provides background information on
characteristics of states' FSCS submissions, including reporting
period, population estimate, and unduplicated population of legal
service areas.  This file contains final edited data for each of the
50 states and the District of Columbia.  The characteristics records
can be found in the PLCHR91.TXT file.  All records are in a fixed
block flat file ASCII format.


Dbase Import

There are three blank Dbase files containing data base
structures to be used for importing the records in the following
files: State Summary Records, Individual Public Library Data, and
Characteristics Data.  The record layouts for the Dbase files
are the same as the record layouts used for the State Summary
Records, Individual Public Library Data, and Characteristics Data.


For numeric data fields the following were acceptable responses:
 0   State had none of this item.

-1   State did not know this, did not collect this, could not
     collect this item right now or this did not apply.







              RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 PUBLIC LIBRARY DATA FILE


              RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 PUBLIC LIBRARY DATA FILE

PUBLIB91.TXT and PUBLIB91.DBF Files

Variable       Field   Record    Data
Name           Length  Position  Type  Description

  IDENTIFICATION

LIBID          20      001-020   A     Library identification code as
                                       provided, FSCS and the sequence
                                       number, as indicated above, was
                                       inserted in this field.

LIBNAME        45      021-065   A     Name of library.

ADDRESS        35      066-100   A     Street address of library.

CITY           17      101-117   A     City or town of library.

ZIP1           05      118-122   A     Standard five-digit postal zip
                                       code.

ZIP2           04      123-126   A     Four-digit postal zip code
                                       extension.

PHONE          10      127-136   A     Phone number, including area code.

POPU           09      137-145   N     Population of the legal service
area.

  SERVICE OUTLETS

CENTLIB        03      146-148   N     Number of central libraries.

BRANLIB        03      149-151   N     Number of branch libraries.

BKMOB          03      152-154   N     Number of bookmobiles.

OTHSERV        03      155-157   N     Number of other outlets.

  FTE STAFF

MASTER         09      158-166   N     Number of FTE paid librarians with
                                       a master of library science degree
                                       from an American Library
                                       Association (ALA) accredited
                                       program.  This field consists of 6
                                       integers and 2 decimals with an
                                       explicit decimal point.

LIBRARIAN      09      167-175   N     Total number of FTE employees
                                       holding the title of librarian.
                                       This field consists of 6 integers
                                       and 2 decimals with an explicit
                                       decimal point.

OTHPAID        10      176-185   N     All other paid FTE employees.
                                       This field consists of 7 integers
                                       and 2 decimal places with an
                                       explicit decimal point.

TOTPEMP        10      186-195   N     Total paid FTE employees.  This
                                       field consists of 7 integers and 2
                                       decimal places with an explicit
                                       decimal point.
  OPERATING INCOME

LOCGVT         09      196-204   N     Operating income from local
                                       government.

STGVT          09      205-213   N     Operating income from state
                                       government.

FEDGVT         09      214-222   N     Operating income from federal
                                       government.

OTHINCM        09      223-231   N     Other operating income not
                                       included in LOCGVT, STGVT, and
                                       FEDGVT.

TOTINCM        10      232-241   N     Total income.  This includes
                                       LOCGVT, STGVT, FEDGVT, and
                                       OTHINCM.
  OPERATING EXPENDITURES

SALARIES       09      242-250   N     Salaries and wages for all library
                                       staff.

BENEFIT        09      251-259   N     Employee benefits for all library
                                       staff.

TOTEXP         09      260-268   N     Total staff expenditures.  This
                                       includes SALARIES and BENEFIT.

TOTEXPCOL      09      269-277   N     Total expenditures on collection.

OTHOPEXP       09      278-286   N     Other operating expenditures not
                                       included in TOTEXP and TOTEXPCOL.

TOTOPEXP1      09      287-296   N     Total operating expenditures.
                                       This includes TOTEXP, TOTEXPCOL
                                       and OTHOPEXP.

  CAPITAL OUTLAY

CAPITAL        09      297-305   N     Expenditures for capital outlay.

  LIBRARY COLLECTION

BKVOL          09      306-314   N     Number of books and serial
                                       volumes.

AUDIO          09      315-323   N     Number of audio materials.

FILM           09      324-332   N     Number of films.

VIDEO          09      333-341   N     Number of video materials.

SUBSCRIPT      09      342-350   N     Number of current serial
                                       subscriptions.
  PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS

FILLER         06      351-356

DUPLI          08      357-364   N     Total annual public service hours
                                       for all outlets of the public
                                       library.
  LIBRARY SERVICES

ATTEND         09      365-373   N     Annual attendance in library.

FILLER         09      374-382

REFERENCE      09      383-391   N     Number of annual reference
                                       transactions.
  CIRCULATION

TOTCIR         09      392-400   N     Total annual circulation
                                       transactions.

  INTER-LIBRARY LOANS

LOANTO         06      401-406   N     Annual number of loans to other
                                       libraries.

LOANFM         06      407-412   N     Annual number of loans from other
                                       libraries.

FSCSKEY        06      413-418   A     This is the number assigned by
                                       NCES to the administrative entity.

PUB_FIPS       02      419-420   A     This is a 2 digit FIPS State code.

YR             02      421-422   A     FSCS submission year.

POPU_UNDUP     09      423-431   N     This is the unduplicated
                                       population for each library.  NCES
                                       calculated this item by prorating the
                                       individual library's duplicated
                                       population of legal service area count to
                                       the state's duplicated count and applying
                                       that ratio to the state's unduplicated
                                       population of legal service areas.

Data Type
N = A numeric field means that only the digits 0-9 are allowed.
A = Alpha character field, may include digits 0-9.
For definitions of the variables please see Appendix D.








             RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 STATE SUMMARY FILE

             RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 STATE SUMMARY FILE

PLSUM91.TXT and PLSUM91.DBF Files

Variable       Field   Record    Data
Name           Length  Position  Type  Description

  IDENTIFICATION

LIBID          20      001-020   A     Library identification code
                                       as provided, FSCS and the
                                       sequence number, as
                                       indicated above, was
                                       inserted in this field.

LIBNAME        45      021-065   A     Name of library.

ADDRESS        35      066-100   A     Street address of library.

CITY           17      101-117   A     City or town of library.

ZIP1           05      118-122   A     Standard five-digit postal
                                       zip code.

ZIP2           04      123-126   A     Four-digit postal zip code
                                       extension.

PHONE          10      127-136   A     Phone number, including area
                                       code.

POPU           11      137-147   N     Population of the legal
                                       service area.

  SERVICE OUTLETS

CENTLIB        05      148-152   N     Number of central libraries.

BRANLIB        05      153-157   N     Number of branch libraries.

BKMOB          05      158-162   N     Number of bookmobiles.

OTHSERV        05      163-167   N     Number of other outlets.

  FTE STAFF

MASTER         11      168-178   N     Number of FTE paid
                                       librarians with a master of
                                       library science degree from
                                       an American Library
                                       Association (ALA) accredited
                                       program.  This field
                                       consists of 6 integers and 2
                                       decimals with an explicit
                                       decimal point.

LIBRARIAN      11      179-189   N     Total number of FTE
                                       employees holding the title
                                       of librarian.  This field
                                       consists of 6 integers and 2
                                       decimals with an explicit
                                       decimal point.

OTHPAID        12      190-201   N     All other paid FTE
                                       employees.  This field
                                       consists of 7 integers and 2
                                       decimal places with an
                                       explicit decimal point.

TOTPEMP        12      202-213   N     Total paid FTE employees.
                                       This field consists of 7
                                       integers and 2 decimal
                                       places with an explicit
                                       decimal point.
  OPERATING INCOME

LOCGVT         11      214-224   N     Operating income from local
                                       government.

STGVT          11      225-235   N     Operating income from state
                                       government.

FEDGVT         11      236-246   N     Operating income from
                                       federal government.

OTHINCM        11      247-257   N     Other operating income not
                                       included in LOCGVT, STGVT,
                                       and FEDGVT.

TOTINCM        12      258-269   N     Total income.  This includes
                                       LOCGVT, STGVT, FEDGVT, and
                                       OTHINCM.
  OPERATING EXPENDITURES

SALARIES       11      270-280   N     Salaries and wages for all
                                       library staff.

BENEFIT        11      281-291   N     Employee benefits for all
                                       library staff.

TOTEXP         11      292-302   N     Total staff expenditures.
                                       This includes SALARIES and
                                       BENEFIT.

TOTEXPCOL      11      303-313   N     Total expenditures on
                                       collection.

OTHOPEXP       11      314-324   N     Other operating expenditures
                                       not included in TOTEXP and
                                       TOTEXPCOL.

TOTOPEXP1      12      325-336   N     Total operating
                                       expenditures.  This includes
                                       TOTEXP, TOTEXPCOL and
                                       OTHOPEXP.

  CAPITAL OUTLAY

CAPITAL        11      337-347   N     Expenditures for capital
                                       outlay.

  LIBRARY COLLECTION

BKVOL          11      348-358   N     Number of books and serial
                                       volumes.

AUDIO          11      359-369   N     Number of audio materials.

FILM           11      370-380   N     Number of films.

VIDEO          11      381-391   N     Number of video materials.

SUBSCRIPT      11      392-402   N     Number of current serial
                                       subscriptions.
  PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS

FILLER         08      403-410

DUPLI          10      411-420   N     Total annual public service
                                       hours for all outlets of the
                                       public library.
  LIBRARY SERVICES

ATTEND         11      421-431   N     Annual attendance in
                                       library.

FILLER         11      432-442

REFERENCE      11      443-453   N     Number of annual reference
                                       transactions.
  CIRCULATION

TOTCIR         11      454-464   N     Total annual circulation
                                       transactions.

  INTER-LIBRARY LOANS

LOANTO         08      465-472   N     Annual number of loans to
                                       other libraries.

LOANFM         08      473-480   N     Annual number of loans from
                                       other libraries

FKEY_POST      02      481-482   A     This is a two-character Post
                                       Office State Code.

PUB_FIPS       02      483-484   A     This is a 2 digit FIPS State
                                       code.

YR             02      485-486   A     FSCS submission year.


Data Type
N = A numeric field means that only the digits 0-9 are allowed.
A = Alpha character field, may include digits 0-9.
For definitions of the variables please see Appendix D.








             RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 CHARACTERISTICS FILE


             RECORD LAYOUT FOR 1991 CHARACTERISTICS FILE


PLCHR91.TXT and PLCHR91.DBF Files


Variable       Field   Record    Data
Name           Length  Position  Type  Description

PERIOD_ST      2       001-002   A     State abbreviation.

PERIOD_YR      2       003-004   A     FSCS submission year.

PERIOD_PSM     5       005-009   A     Reporting period starting
                                       date.

PERIOD_PEM     5       010-014   A     Reporting period ending
                                       date.

PERIOD_POP     10      015-024   N     Unduplicated population of
                                       legal service area.

PUB_FIPS       2       025-026   A     This is a 2 digit FIPS state
                                       code.



Data Type
N = A numeric field means that only the digits 0-9 are allowed.
A = Alpha character field, may include digits 0-9.
For definitions of the variables please see Appendix C.










                                        APPENDIX C:

                     Characteristics File Specifications for 1991


                        CHARACTERISTICS FILE SPECIFICATIONS FOR 1991

#  DATA ELEMENT         WIDTH      FIELD TYPE/   DATA ELEMENT SPECIFICATIONS
                                   DECIMALS

01 State                 2         Alpha         State Abbreviation

                                                 This is the two-letter state
                                                 abbreviation automatically
                                                 assigned by DECTOP.

02 FSCS Submission       2         Numeric       FSCS Submission Year.
   Year
                                                 This is the year in which this
                                                 FSCS data is submitted to NCES
                                                 and is automatically assigned
                                                 by DECTOP.

03 Reporting Period      4         Alpha         Reporting Period Starting Date
   Starting Date
                                                 Provide the starting date
                                                 (month and year) that applies
                                                 to your State's data being
                                                 submitted to NCES.  If data are
                                                 collected for several time
                                                 cycles, provide the earliest
                                                 date.



04 Reporting Period      4         Alpha         Reporting Period Ending Date
   Ending Date
                                                 Provide the ending date (month
                                                 and year) that applies to your
                                                 State's data being submitted to
                                                 NCES.  If data are collected
                                                 for several time cycles,
                                                 provide the latest date.

05 Population            9         Numeric       Unduplicated Population of
                                                 Legal Service Area

                                                 This is the total unduplicated
                                                 population of those areas in
                                                 your State that receive library
                                                 services.  Do not include the
                                                 population of unserved areas in
                                                 this figure.  Your State's
                                                 Unduplicated Population of
                                                 Legal Service Area may be
                                                 different from your State's
                                                 total Population of the Legal
                                                 Service Area as calculated by
                                                 DECTOP.  This is because of
                                                 possible overlaps in the
                                                 population of Legal Service
                                                 Area served by individual
                                                 libraries, resulting in the
                                                 same population being counted
                                                 twice.  Provide your State's
                                                 Unduplicated Population of
                                                 Legal Service Area if it is
                                                 different from your State's
                                                 total Population of Legal
                                                 Service Area (Date Element
                                                 #8) as calculated by DECTOP.
                                                 Otherwise enter -1.











                                         APPENDIX D:

                            Data Element Specifications for FY 91 Data


                         DATA ELEMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR FY 1991 DATA

#   DATA ELEMENT           WIDTH    FIELD TYPE/   DATA ELEMENT SPECIFICATIONS
                                    DECIMALS

01  Lib Id#                20       Alpha         This is the State-assigned
                                                  identification number for the
                                                  public library record.

02  Name                   45       Alpha         This is the name of the
                                                  library.

03  Address                35       Alpha         This is the complete street
                                                  address of the library.

04  City                   17       Alpha         This is the city or town of
                                                  the library.

05  Zip1                    5       Alpha         This is the standard five-
                                                  digit postal zip code.

06  Zip2                    4       Alpha         This is the four-digit postal
                                                  zip code extension for the
                                                  new nine-digit zip code
                                                  system.

07  Phone                  10       Alpha         This is the telephone number
                                                  of the library, including
                                                  area code.

POPULATION

08  Population of Legal    9        Numeric/0     This is the number of people
    Service Area                                  in the geographic area for
                                                  whom a public library has
                                                  been established to offer
                                                  services and from whom (or on
                                                  behalf of whom) the library
                                                  derives income plus any areas
                                                  served under contract for
                                                  which the library is the
                                                  primary service provider.
                                                  The determination of this
                                                  population figure is the
                                                  responsibility of the
                                                  State Library Agency.


SERVICE OUTLETS

09  Centrals               3        Numeric/0     This is the single unit
                                                  library or the unit where the
                                                  principal collections are
                                                  kept and handled; also called
                                                  "main library." Some county,
                                                  multi-county, and regional
                                                  library systems may not have
                                                  a central library. Some
                                                  systems may have an
                                                  administrative center which
                                                  is separate from the
                                                  principal collections and is
                                                  not open to the public.  This
                                                  type of building is not
                                                  reported.

10  Branches               3        Numeric/0     These are auxiliary units
                                                  which have all of the
                                                  following: (1) separate
                                                  quarters; (2) a permanent
                                                  basic collection of books;
                                                  (3) a permanent paid staff;
                                                  and (4) a regular schedule for
                                                  opening to the public.  They
                                                  are, however, administered
                                                  from a central unit.  Regional
                                                  or divisional centers are
                                                  counted as branches.

11  Bookmobiles            3        Numeric/0     These are trucks or vans
                                                  specially equipped to carry
                                                  books and other library
                                                  materials; they serve as
                                                  traveling branch libraries.
                                                  Vehicles in use are counted,
                                                  rather than the number of
                                                  stops the vehicle makes.

12  Other Outlets          3        Numeric/0     Examples are outlets in
                                                  senior citizen centers, day
                                                  care centers, jails, or other
                                                  organizations or institutions
                                                  with small and frequently
                                                  changed collections of books
                                                  and other library materials.


FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS STAFF

Report figures as of the last day of the fiscal year. Include
unfilled but budgeted positions. To ensure comparable data, 40
hours per week has been set as the measure of full-time employment
(FTE) for the Cooperative System.


13  ALA-MLS                9        Numeric/2     These are paid librarians
                                                  with a master of library
                                                  science degree from programs
                                                  accredited by the ALA. This
                                                  category excludes all other
                                                  librarians. This category is
                                                  reported in FTE.

14  Total Librarians       9        Numeric/2     This is a person who does
                                                  paid work that requires
                                                  professional training and
                                                  skill in the theoretical or
                                                  scientific aspects of
                                                  library work, or both, as
                                                  distinct from its mechanical
                                                  or clerical aspect. This
                                                  data element also includes
                                                  ALA-MLS (Data Element #13).
                                                  This category is reported in
                                                  FTE.

15  Other Paid             10       Numeric/2     This includes all other FTE
    Employees                                     employees paid from the
                                                  reporting unit budget,
                                                  including plant operations,
                                                  security, and maintenance
                                                  staff.

16  Total Paid             10       Numeric/2     This is the sum of total
    Employees                                     librarians (Data Element #14)
                                                  and all other paid staff
                                                  (Data Element #15).


OPERATING INCOME

Report income used for operating expenditures as defined below.  Include
Federal, State, or other grants other than those for major capital
expenditures.  DO NOT include income for major capital expenditures,
contributions to endowments, income passed through to another agency (e. g.
fines), or funds unspent in the previous fiscal year.


17  Local Government       9        Numeric/0     This includes all tax and
                                                  non-tax receipts designated
                                                  by the community, district,
                                                  or region of the public
                                                  library and available for
                                                  expenditure by the public
                                                  library.  It does not include
                                                  the value of any contributed
                                                  or in-kind services nor the
                                                  value of any gifts and
                                                  donations, fines, or fees.

18  State Government       9        Numeric/0     These are all funds
                                                  distributed to public
                                                  libraries by State government
                                                  for expenditure by the public
                                                  libraries, except for federal
                                                  money distributed by the
                                                  State. This includes funds
                                                  from such sources as penal
                                                  fines, license fees, mineral
                                                  rights.

19  Federal Government     9        Numeric/0     This includes all federal
                                                  government funds distributed
                                                  to public libraries for
                                                  expenditure by the public
                                                  libraries, including federal
                                                  money distributed by the
                                                  State.

20  Other Income           9        Numeric/0     This is all income other than
                                                  that reported in Data
                                                  Elements #17, #18 and #19.
                                                  Include, for example, gifts
                                                  and donations received in the
                                                  current year, interest,
                                                  library fines, and fees for
                                                  library services.  Do not
                                                  include the value of any
                                                  contributed services or the
                                                  value of "in-kind" gifts and
                                                  donations.

21  Total Income           10       Numeric/0     This includes income from the
                                                  local government, the State
                                                  government, the federal
                                                  government, and all other
                                                  income (Data Elements #17
                                                  through #20).


OPERATING EXPENDITURES

22  Salaries & Wages       9        Numeric/0     This amount is the salary and
    Exp                                           wages for all library staff
                                                  including plant operation,
                                                  security and maintenance
                                                  staff for the fiscal year.
                                                  Include salaries and wages
                                                  before deductions but exclude
                                                  "employee benefits".

23  Employee Benefits      9        Numeric/0     These are the benefits
                                                  outside of salaries and wages
                                                  paid and accruing to
                                                  employees including plant
                                                  operations, security and
                                                  maintenance staff, regardless
                                                  of whether the benefits or
                                                  equivalent cash options are
                                                  available to  all employees.
                                                  Include amounts spent by the
                                                  reporting unit for direct,
                                                  paid employee benefits
                                                  including Social Security,
                                                  retirement, medical
                                                  insurance, life insurance,
                                                  guaranteed  disability
                                                  income protection,
                                                  unemployment compensation,
                                                  workmen's compensation,
                                                  tuition, and housing benefits.
                                                  Only that part of any
                                                  employee benefits paid out of
                                                  the public library budget
                                                  should be reported.

24  Total Staff Exp        9        Numeric/0     This includes salaries and
                                                  wages (Data Element #22),
                                                  and employee benefits (Data
                                                  Element #23).

25  Collection Exp         9        Numeric/0     This includes all
                                                  expenditures for materials
                                                  purchased  or leased for use
                                                  by the public.  It includes
                                                  print materials, microforms,
                                                  machine-readable materials,
                                                  audiovisual materials, etc.

26  Other Operating Exp    9        Numeric/0     This includes all
                                                  expenditures other than those
                                                  given above on staff (Data
                                                  Element #24) and collection
                                                  (Data Element #25).

27  Total Operating EXP    10       Numeric/0     This includes total
                                                  expenditures on staff,
                                                  total expenditures on
                                                  collection, and other
                                                  operating expenditures
                                                  (Data Elements #24,
                                                  #25 and #26).

CAPITAL OUTLAY

28  Capital Outlay         9        Numeric/0     These are funds for the
                                                  acquisition of or additions
                                                  to fixed assets such as
                                                  building sites, new buildings
                                                  and building additions, new
                                                  equipment (including major
                                                  computer installations),
                                                  initial book stock,
                                                  furnishings for new or
                                                  expanded buildings, and new
                                                  vehicles. This excludes
                                                  replacement and repair of
                                                  existing furnishings and
                                                  equipment, regular purchase
                                                  of library materials, and
                                                  investments for capital
                                                  appreciation. Note that local
                                                  accounting practices
                                                  determine whether a specific
                                                  item is a capital expense or
                                                  an operating expense
                                                  regardless of the examples in
                                                  the definitions.

LIBRARY COLLECTION

29  Book/Serial Volume     9        Numeric/0     Books are non-periodical
                                                  printed publications bound in
                                                  hard or soft covers, or in
                                                  loose-leaf format, of at
                                                  least 49 pages, exclusive of
                                                  the cover pages; or juvenile
                                                  non-periodical publications
                                                  of any length bound in hard
                                                  or soft covers.  Serials are
                                                  publications issued in
                                                  successive parts, usually at
                                                  regular intervals, and as a
                                                  rule, intended to be
                                                  continued indefinitely.
                                                  Serials include periodicals
                                                  (magazines), newspapers,
                                                  annuals (reports, yearbooks,
                                                  etc.), memoirs, proceedings,
                                                  and transactions of societies.
                                                  Except for the current
                                                  volume, count unbound serials
                                                  as volumes when the library
                                                  has at least half of the
                                                  issues in a publisher's
                                                  volume.

30  Audio                  9        Numeric/0     These are materials on which
                                                  sounds (only) are stored
                                                  (recorded) and that can be
                                                  reproduced (played back)
                                                  mechanically or
                                                  electronically, or both.
                                                  Included are records,
                                                  audiocassettes, audio
                                                  cartridges, audiodiscs,
                                                  audioreels, talking books, and
                                                  other sound recordings.

31  Films                  9        Numeric/0     The term film is used
                                                  interchangeably with "motion
                                                  picture" which is a length of
                                                  film, with or without recorded
                                                  sound, bearing a sequence of
                                                  still images that create the
                                                  illusion of movement when
                                                  projected in rapid successions
                                                  (usually 18 or 24 frames per
                                                  second). Motion pictures are
                                                  produced in a variety of sizes
                                                  (8, super 8, 16, 35, 55, and
                                                  70 mm) and in a variety of
                                                  forms (cartridge, cassette,
                                                  loop, and reel).

32  Video                  9        Numeric/0     These are materials on which
                                                  pictures, sound, or both are
                                                  recorded.  Electronic playback
                                                  reproduces pictures, sounds,
                                                  or both using a television
                                                  receiver or monitor.

33  Subscriptions          9        Numeric/0     These include subscriptions
                                                  received both purchased and
                                                  gifts. This count does not
                                                  include the number of
                                                  individual issues but, rather
                                                  each serial title. The total
                                                  number of subscriptions in the
                                                  library system, including
                                                  duplicates, is reported.

34  Unduplicated Hrs       6        Blank         No Longer Collected


PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS

35  Public Serv Hrs/Yr     8        Numeric/0     This is the total annual
                                                  public service hours for all
                                                  outlets combined.  Report the
                                                  sum of all public service
                                                  hours for all library
                                                  facilities (including
                                                  bookmobiles) for the entire
                                                  year.  For bookmobiles, report
                                                  only the hours in which the
                                                  bookmobile is open to the
                                                  public.  Do not include hours
                                                  for deposit collections or
                                                  other similar service outlets.


SERVICES

Notes for data elements #36 and #38:
If annual counts are available for Data Elements #36 and #38, please report
them.  Otherwise provide annual estimates based on a count taken during a
typical week in October and then multiply by 52.  A "typical week" is a time
that is neither unusually busy or unusually slow. Avoid holiday times, vacation
periods for key staff, days when unusual events are taking place in the
community or in the library. Choose a week in which the library is open its
regular hours. Include seven consecutive calendar days, from Sunday through
Saturday or whenever the library is usually open.

36  Attendance             9        Numeric/0     This is the total number of
                                                  persons per year entering the
                                                  library, including persons
                                                  attending activities,
                                                  meetings, and those persons
                                                  requiring no staff services.

37  In-Library Use         9        Blank         No Longer Collected

38  Reference              9        Numeric/0     A reference transaction is an
    Transactions                                  information contact which
                                                  involves the knowledge, use,
                                                  recommendations,
                                                  interpretation or instruction
                                                  in the use of one or more
                                                  information sources by a
                                                  member of the library staff.
                                                  The term includes information
                                                  and referral service.
                                                  Information sources include
                                                  printed and non-printed
                                                  materials, machine-readable
                                                  databases (including computer-
                                                  assisted instruction),
                                                  catalogs and other holdings,
                                                  records, and through
                                                  communication or referral,
                                                  other libraries and
                                                  institutions and persons both
                                                  inside and outside the library.
                                                  When a staff member utilizes
                                                  information gained from
                                                  previous use of information
                                                  sources to answer a question,
                                                  report as a reference
                                                  transaction even if the source
                                                  is not consulted again during
                                                  this transaction.

Note that it is essential that libraries do not include directional transactions
in the report of reference transactions. A directional transaction is an
information contact which facilitates the use of the library in which the
contact occurs but does NOT involve the knowledge, use, recommendation,
interpretation, or instruction in the use of any information sources other than
those which describe that library, such as schedules, floor plans, handbooks,
and policy statements. Examples of directional transactions include giving
instruction for locating within the library, staff, library users, or physical
features, etc., and giving assistance of a non-bibliographical nature with
machines.


CIRCULATION

39  Total Circulation      9        Numeric/0     These are transactions that
                                                  involve lending an item from
                                                  the library's collection for
                                                  use generally (although not
                                                  always) outside the library.
                                                  This activity includes
                                                  charging materials manually or
                                                  electronically. Each renewal
                                                  is also reported as a
                                                  circulation transaction.
                                                  These data are reported as
                                                  annual figures.

INTERLIBRARY LOANS

40  Loan To                6        Numeric/0     These are library materials,
                                                  or copies of the materials,
                                                  lent by one library to another
                                                  upon request. The libraries
                                                  involved in interlibrary loans
                                                  are not under the same library
                                                  administration. These data are
                                                  reported as annual figures.

41  Loan From              6        Numeric/0     These are library materials,
                                                  or copies of the materials,
                                                  borrowed by one library from
                                                  another library upon request.
                                                  The libraries involved in
                                                  interlibrary loans are not
                                                  under the same library
                                                  administration.  These data
                                                  are reported as annual
                                                  figures.

August 14, 2003
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