FSCS Mission

The Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data is a partnership of the National Center for Education Statistics, the National Commission for Libraries and Information Science and state library agencies. It is the national census of public libraries. The data collected are tabulated, analyzed and disseminated annually to inform state and national policymakers.

FSCS Values

FSCS applies the following values in our data collection process:

• Accountability:  FSCS participants assume responsibility for collecting, transmitting, and distributing public library data.
• Cooperation:  FSCS participants work together for mutual benefit and the good of public libraries.
• Inclusiveness:  FSCS participants work together to obtain the most useful data for local, state, and national policymakers and librarians.
• Respect:  FSCS participants acknowledge that every participant has a vital role to play in producing quality data.
• Responsiveness:  FSCS participants respond to each other in a helpful, appropriate, and timely manner.

FSCS data products reflect the following values:

• Accuracy:  FSCS participants strive to collect data that are correct.
• Completeness:  FSCS participants work toward 100% response rates from public libraries and states.
• Flexibility:  FSCS regularly offers participants an opportunity to review existing data elements and propose new ones to meet the changing needs of the library community.
• Relevance:  FSCS collects core data elements of practical and lasting use to policymakers and librarians.
• Timeliness:  FSCS participants strive to collect and disseminate current data that are of immediate and lasting usefulness

Adopted June 2005