Welcome to the IMLS Open Government Web page
The resources on this page are intended to help make the agency’s work more transparent to the public, while also making possible the public’s participation in the work of IMLS. This effort is part of a government-wide initiative to promote openness in the work of federal agencies. For detailed information about the initiative, visit the White House Web site or see the Open Government Directive (PDF, 81KB), issued by the Office of Management and Budget on December 8, 2009.
Please continue to check this page, or subscribe to the IMLS RSS Feed, to see what new resources have been added.
Open Government Plan
Download and read the IMLS Open Government Plan (PDF, 371KB)
Datasets on Data.gov
MLS has made the following datasets available on Data.gov:
Public Libraries Survey
Fiscal Years 1992 - 2007
This dataset is a national census of public library systems. Its data elements cover library service measures such as the number of uses of electronic resources, the number of Internet terminals available to the general public, reference transactions, interlibrary loans, circulation, library visits, children's program attendance, and circulation of children's materials. It also includes information on collection sizes, staffing, operating revenue and expenditures. Selected data elements are aggregated and summarized at the state level.
State Library Agency Survey
Fiscal Years 2006 - 2007
This dataset is a national census of state library agencies. A state library agency is the official agency of a state that is charged by state law with the extension and development of public library services throughout the state and that has adequate authority under state law to administer state plans in accordance with the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Beyond these two roles, state library agencies vary greatly. This dataset provides information on the range of roles played by state library agencies and the various combinations of fiscal, human, and informational resources invested in such work.
We plan on positing additional high-value datasets on Data.gov and on this page. Please check back.
Freedom of Information Act
Visit the IMLS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) page for information on our FOIA program, including contact information, how to submit a request, and annual FOIA reports.
Additional IMLS Information
Feedback
IMLS welcomes your feedback about the quality of our published information, as well as your input about which information should be given priority for future publication. Please send your comments and recommendations to webmaster@imls.gov.