This report contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2000. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative effort between the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the U.S. Census Bureau. The FY 2000 survey is the seventh in a series of StLA Surveys.
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) (P.L. 104-208). Beyond these two roles, state library agencies vary greatly. They are located in various departments of state government and report to different authorities. They are involved in various ways in the development and operation of electronic information networks. They provide different types of services to different types of libraries.
State library agencies are increasingly receiving broader legislative mandates affecting libraries of all types in the states (i.e., public, academic, school, and special libraries, and library systems). They provide important reference and information services to state governments and administer the state libraries and special operations such as state archives, libraries for the blind and physically handicapped, and the State Center for the Book.1 The state library agency may also function as the state’s public library at large, providing library services to the general public. This report 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.
The purpose of the StLA Survey is to provide state and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users with descriptive information about state library agencies. The data collected are useful to (1) chief officers of state library agencies; (2) policymakers in the executive and legislative branches of federal and state governments; (3) government and library administrators at the federal, state, and local levels; (4) the American Library Association and its members or customers; and (5) library and public policy researchers. Decisionmakers use this survey to obtain information about services and fiscal practices.
The survey asks each state library agency about the kinds of services it provides, its staffing practices, its collections, income and expenditures, and more. The data include services and financial assistance provided to public, academic, and school libraries, and to library systems. When added to the data collected through the NCES surveys of public, academic, and school libraries,2 these data help complete the national picture of library service.
The StLA Survey is conducted in compliance with the NCES mission “to collect, analyze, and disseminate statistics and other information related to education in the United States and in other nations, including … the learning and teaching environment, including data on libraries …” (P.L. 103-382, Title IV, National Education Statistics Act of 1994, Sec. 404 [a]).
The remainder of this article presents highlights of StLA Survey results for FY 2000.
- Nearly all state library agencies (47 states and the District of Columbia) are located in the executive branch of government. In three states (Arizona, Michigan, and Tennessee), the agency is located in the legislative branch.
- Of the state library agencies located in the executive branch, almost two-thirds (31 states) are part of a larger agency, most commonly the state department of education (12 states). Six other state library agencies have direct connections to education through their locations within departments or agencies that include education, college, university, or learning in their titles.
- State library agencies in 14 states reported having one or more allied operations. Allied operations most frequently linked with state library agencies are the state archives (10 states) and the state records management service (10 states). Expenditures for allied operations totaled $23.4 million, or 2.3 percent of total expenditures.
- State library agencies in 15 states contracted with public or academic libraries in their states to serve as resource or reference/information service centers. State library agencies in 21 states hosted or provided funding for a State Center for the Book.
- Almost all state library agencies (48 states and the District of Columbia) planned or monitored the development of electronic networks. State library agencies in 42 states and the District of Columbia operated electronic networks. State library agencies in 46 states and the District of Columbia supported the development of bibliographic databases via electronic networks, and state library agencies in 44 states and the District of Columbia supported the development of full text or data files via electronic networks.3
- Almost all state library agencies (49 states) provided or facilitated library access to online databases through subscription, lease, license, consortial membership, or agreement.
- State library agencies in 42 states and the District of Columbia facilitated or subsidized electronic access to the holdings of other libraries in their states through Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) participation. Over half provided access via a Web-based union catalog (30 states) or Telnet gateway (26 states).
- State library agencies in 46 states had combined expenditures for statewide database licensing of over $32.4 million.4 Of these, Texas had the highest expenditure ($3.1 million) and South Dakota the lowest ($5,000). All state library agencies with such expenditures provided statewide database licensing services to public libraries in their states, and at least twothirds provided statewide database licensing services to each of the following user groups: academic, school, and special libraries; library cooperatives; and other state agencies.
- Over two-thirds (68.0 percent) of the total expenditures for statewide database licensing were from state funds; 31.8 percent were from federal sources. Of the states reporting statewide database licensing expenditures, 16 states funded this activity with state dollars only, 16 states used federal dollars only, and 13 states used multiple funding sources.5
- All state library agencies facilitated library access to the Internet in one or more of the following ways: training or consulting state or local library staff or state library end users in the use of the Internet; providing a subsidy to libraries for Internet participation; providing equipment to libraries to access the Internet; providing access to directories, databases, or online catalogs; and managing gopher/Web sites, file servers, bulletin boards, or listservs.
- Nearly all state library agencies (48 states) had Internet workstations available for public use, ranging in number from 2 to 4 (17 states); 5 to 9 (14 states); 10 to 19 (7 states); 20 to 29 (7 states); and 30 or more (3 states). Louisiana reported the largest number of public-use Internet terminals (53).
- State library agencies in 32 states and the District of Columbia were applicants to the Universal Service (Erate discount) program established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104).6
- All state library agencies provided the following types of services to public libraries: administration of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants; collection of library statistics; continuing education programs; and library planning, evaluation, and research. Nearly all state library agencies (49 to 50) provided consulting services, library legislation preparation or review, and review of technology plans for the E-rate discount program.
- Services to public libraries provided by over three-quarters of state library agencies (41 to 47) were administration of state aid, interlibrary loan referral services, literacy program support, reference referral services, state standards or guidelines, statewide public relations or library promotion campaigns, and summer reading program support. About three-quarters of state library agencies (38) provided union list7 development.
- Two-thirds of state library agencies (33) provided OCLC Group Access Capability (GAC).
- Twelve state library agencies reported accreditation of public libraries, and 22 reported certification of public librarians.
- Over three-quarters of state library agencies (39 to 43) provided the following services to academic libraries: administration of LSTA grants, continuing education, and interlibrary loan referral services.
- Over two-thirds of state library agencies (36) provided reference referral services, 30 agencies provided consulting services, and 31 agencies provided union list development.
- No state library agency accredits academic libraries; only the state library agency of Washington State reported certification of academic librarians.
- Over three-quarters of state library agencies provided continuing education (39 agencies) or interlibrary loan referral services (41 agencies) to school library media centers (LMCs).
- At least two-thirds of state library agencies provided administration of LSTA grants (35 agencies) or reference referral services (34 agencies) to LMCs, and over half of the agencies (30) provided consulting services.
- No state library agency accredits LMCs or certifies LMC librarians.
- Over three-quarters of state library agencies (40 to 42) served special libraries8 through administration of LSTA grants, continuing education, and interlibrary loan referral.
- Over two-thirds of state library agencies (37) provided reference referral services to special libraries. About two-thirds provided consulting services (34 agencies) or union list development (33 agencies). Over half of state library agencies (26) provided library planning, evaluation, and research.
- Only the Nebraska state library agency accredits special libraries, and only the agencies of Indiana, Nebraska, and Washington State reported certification of librarians of special libraries.
- About two-thirds of state library agencies (33 to 36) provided the following services to library systems:9 administration of LSTA grants; consulting services; continuing education; interlibrary loan referral; library legislation preparation or review; and library planning, evaluation, and research.
- Over half of state library agencies (26 to 29) served library systems through administration of state aid, collection of library statistics, reference referral, state standards or guidelines, statewide public relations or library promotion campaigns, union list development, and review of technology plans for the E-rate discount program.
- Six state library agencies reported accreditation of library systems, and five reported certification of systems librarians.
- State library agencies reported a total of 151 service outlets—53 main or central outlets, 77 other outlets (excluding bookmobiles), and 21 bookmobiles. The user groups receiving library services through these outlets, and the number of outlets serving them, included the general public (106 outlets); state government employees (101 outlets); blind and physically handicapped individuals (58 outlets); residents of state correctional institutions (34 outlets); and residents of other state institutions (22 outlets).10
- The number of book and serial volumes held by state library agencies totaled 25.6 million. Three state library agencies had book and serial volumes of over 2 million each: Tennessee and New York had 2.5 million volumes each, and Michigan had 2.3 million volumes. The number of book and serial volumes held by other state library agencies were 1,000,000 to 1,999,999 (4 states); 500,000 to 999,999 (10 states); 200,000 to 499,999 (10 states); 100,000 to 199,999 (9 states); 50,000 to 99,999 (7 states); and under 50,000 (6 states). The state library agencies of Marylandand the District of Columbia do not maintain collections.11
- The number of serial subscriptions held by state library agencies totaled over 98,000,12 with New York and Indiana holding the largest number (over 11,000 each), followed by Connecticut (over 10,000). The number of serial subscriptions held by other state library agencies were 5,000 to 9,999 (3 states); 2,000 to 4,999 (5 states); 1,000 to 1,999 (11 states); 500 to 999 (13 states); 100 to 499 (11 states); and under 100 (3 states). The state library agencies of Maryland and the District of Columbia do not maintain collections.
- The total number of budgeted full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions in state library agencies was 4,053. Librarians with American Library Association-Master of Library Science (ALA-MLS) degrees accounted for almost 1,262 of these positions, or 31.1 percent of total FTE positions; other professionals accounted for 18.8 percent of total FTE positions; and other paid staff accounted for 50.0 percent. Rhode Island reported the largest percentage (55.0 percent) of ALA-MLS librarians, and Virginia reported the smallest (12.5 percent).
- Most of the budgeted FTE positions (56.9 percent) were in library services; 16.5 percent were in library development; 11.5 percent were in administration; and 15.1 percent were in other services such as allied operations. Over two-thirds of the library development positions were for public library development.
- State library agencies reported a total income of over $1 billion in FY 2000. Most income was from state sources (84.6 percent), followed by federal sources (13.7 percent) and other sources (1.8 percent).13
- State library agency income from state sources totaled $872.9 million, with over two-thirds ($592.4 million) designated for state aid to libraries. In 10 states, over 75 percent of the state library agency income from state sources was designated for state aid to libraries, with Massachusetts having the largest percentage (96.8 percent). Six states (Hawaii, Idaho, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming) and the District of Columbia targeted no state funds for aid to libraries.14
- Federal income totaled $141.1 million, with 94.7 percent from LSTA grants.
- State library agencies reported total expenditures of over $1 billion in FY 2000. Over four-fifths (84.6 percent) of these expenditures were from state funds, followed by federal funds (14.0 percent) and funds from other sources (1.4 percent).
- In six states, over 90 percent of total expenditures were from state sources. These states were Massachusetts (95.3 percent), Georgia (93.6 percent), Maryland (92.7 percent), New York (92.2 percent), and Rhode Island and Pennsylvania (91.0 percent each). The District of Columbia had the smallest percentage of expenditures from state sources (47.4 percent), followed by Utah (57.5 percent).
- Financial assistance to libraries accounted for 68.6 percent of total expenditures of state library agencies, and over two-thirds of such expenditures were targeted to individual public libraries (46.9 percent) and public library systems (21.6 percent). Most of these expenditures were from state sources (87.9 percent); 11.9 percent were from federal sources.
- Thirteen state library agencies reported expenditures for allied operations. These expenditures totaled $23.4 million and accounted for 2.3 percent of total expenditures of state library agencies. Of states reporting such expenditures, Virginia reported the highest expenditure ($5.1 million) and West Virginia the lowest ($12,000).15
- Thirty-five state library agencieshad a combined total of $21.9 million in grants and contracts expenditures to assist public libraries with state or federal education reform initiatives. The area of adult literacy and family literacy accounted for 85.0 percent of such expenditures, and prekindergarten learning accounted for 15.0 percent. Expenditures were focused exclusively on prekindergarten learning projects in five states (Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, and Vermont) and exclusively on adult literacy and family literacy projects in eight states (California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming).
1The State Center for the Book, which is part of the Center for the Book program sponsored by the Library of Congress, promotes books, reading, and literacy, and is hosted or funded by the state.
2The NCES Public Libraries Survey collects data from public libraries, the NCES Academic Libraries Survey collects data from postsecondary institution libraries, and the NCES School Library Media Centers Survey collects data from elementary and secondary school library media centers.
3The development
of bibliographic databases via electronic networks and the development of
full text or data files via electronic networks are both classified as “database development activities.” These
activities include the creation of new databases or files as well as the conversion
of existing materials into electronic format.
4In addition,
Alaska expended $48,000 in FY 99 for statewide database licensing services
that covered FY 99 and FY 2000.
5This
tally of states by source of funds does not include Ohio. Ohio’s data
were imputed due to nonresponse; the imputed data are included in the national
totals but suppressed at the state level.
6Under this program, the FCC promotes affordable access to the Internet and the availability of Internet services to the public, with special attention given to schools and libraries.
7A union list is a list of titles of works, usually periodicals, in physically separate library collections. Location data indicate libraries in which a given item may be found.
8A special library is a library in a business firm, professional association, government agency, or other organized group; a library that is maintained by a parent organization to serve a specialized clientele; or an independent library that may provide materials or services, or both, to the public, a segment of the public, or other libraries. The scope of collections and services is limited to the subject interests of the host or parent institution. Special libraries include libraries in state institutions.
9A system is a group of autonomous libraries joined together by formal or informal agreements to perform various services cooperatively, such as resource sharing or communications. Systems include multitype library systems and public library systems, but not multiple outlets under the same administration.
10The number of outlets by user group may not sum to total outlets because some outlets serve multiple user groups.
11In Maryland, Enoch Pratt Central, the central library of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, is designated by state law as the State Library Resource Center. In the District of Columbia, the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, the central library of the District of Columbia Public Library, functions as a resource center for the municipal government.
12This is the total number of serial titles subscribed to, including duplicates.
13Federal income includes State Program income under the LSTA (P.L. 104-208), income from Title II of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) (P.L. 101-254), and other federal income. Note: LSCA was superseded by LSTA, but LSCA Title II funds are still active.
14The District of Columbia Public Library functions as a state library agency and is eligible for federal LSTA funds in this capacity. The state library agency of Hawaii is associated with the Hawaii State Public Library System and operates all public libraries within its jurisdiction. The state funds for aid to libraries for these two agencies are reported on the NCES Public Libraries Survey, rather than on the StLA Survey, because of the unique situation of these two state agencies, and in order to eliminate duplicative reporting of these data.
15Although Alaska reported allied operations, the expenditures were not from the state library agency budget.
Data source: NCES State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, Fiscal Year 2000.
For technical information, see the complete report:
Kroe, P.E., Garner, P., and Sheckells, C. (2001). State Library Agencies: Fiscal Year 2000 (NCES 2002–302).
Author affiliations: P.E. Kroe, NCES; P. Garner and C. Sheckells, Governments Division, U.S. Census Bureau.
For questions about content, contact P. Elaine Kroe (patricia.kroe@ed.gov).
To obtain the complete report (NCES 2002-302), visit the NCES Web Site (http://nces.ed.gov). |
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