Library Surveys & Statistics

In addition to the changes listed below, some wording and calculations have changed throughout the survey.

Deleted Questions

Downloadable Materials:

• Downloadable audio units for electronic playback (listening)
• Downloadable video units for electronic playback (watching)
• Electronic books (E-books) for reading on computer or e-reader
• Downloadable periodical titles
• Total downloadable units available

Electronic Databases:

• Current number of subscriptions/contracts/licensing arrangements for databases purchased or subscribed to by the library alone.
• Current number of subscriptions/contracts/licensing arrangements for databases (such as collections of electronic periodical articles) subscribed to or purchased AS PART OF A CONSORTIAL ARRANGEMENT
• Number of Discus databases licensed by the state library
• Total licensed databases

Successful Retrieval Of Electronic Information (Not Circulation):

• Instances of the successful retrieval of electronic information.
• Electronic content use
• Grand total of collection use

New Questions

Electronic Materials:

• F15: Did your library provide access to e-books purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F16: Did your library provide access to e-books purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F17: Did your library provide access to e-books provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• F18: Did your library provide access to e-serials purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F19: Did your library provide access to e-serials purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F20: Did your library provide access to e-serials provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• F21: Did your library provide access to e-audio purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F22: Did your library provide access to e-audio purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F23: Did your library provide access to e-audio provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• F24: Did your library provide access to e-video purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F25: Did your library provide access to e-video purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F26: Did your library provide access to e-video provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• F27: Did your library provide access to research databases purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F28: Did your library provide access to research databases purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F29: Did your library provide access to research databases provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• F30: Did your library provide access to online learning platforms purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)
• F31: Did your library provide access to online learning platforms purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)
• F32: Did your library provide access to online learning platforms provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)
• G11: Did your library offer automatic renewal for any physical materials during the reporting period? (Y/N)

Revised Questions

• D5: Electronic Content Expenditures (name and definition change)
• D7: Total Other Physical Materials Expenditures (name and definition change)
• H1: TOTAL Annual Reference Transactions (definition change)
• H1b: Number of scheduled specialized 1:1 sessions between library staff and patron(s).
  (definition change)
• H4: Total circulation of children’s physical materials (definition change)
• I21: Total Number of Recorded (Asynchronous) Program Presentations (definition change)
• I22: Total Views of Recorded (Asynchronous) Program Presentations within 30 days (definition change)

This section will be updated throughout the 2024 survey season. 

We close for 14 days over the reporting year, but days closed are not consecutive. How do we record weeks open?

In section J, for each outlet, enter 52. IMLS wants to know how many calendar weeks your library was open.

How do I calculate FTE for part-time employees?

HealthCare.gov has a great FTE calculator that may help: https://www.healthcare.gov/shop-calculators-fte/

Our library participated in a parade this year. How do we count that?

Include that an an outreach activity in I23.

How do we count automatic renewals?

Count them the same way you would count manual renewals (Section H: Reference, Circulation).

How do we count interactions with social workers/community health workers on staff?

Count these in H1b, 1:1 scheduled interactions. Even if your LCSW or CHW doesn’t require appointments/works on a first-come-first-served basis, count them here. The intent is to capture services beyond the traditional reference transaction; services that might require specialized skills, education, certification.

How do we count someone who does the same tasks as an ALA-accredited Master's Librarian, but doesn't have an ALA-accredited Master's degree OR has a Master's degree in a different subject?

Count this position under Other Librarians.

Can I count E-rate funds?

E-rate reimbursements ONLY can be captured in C25, Other Revenue.  Do not include E-rate discounts.

We are a member of SCLENDS, how can we receive our usage for the survey?

You should receive your SCLENDS data soon. If you have not, please reach out to Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator.

How do we count Hoopla/Overdrive/Freegal/other services? Collection or database?

We are still working on a resource, but check with Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator to talk through specific resources.

What is a "synchronous program" (section I)?

A synchronous program happens& live. It can be in-person or virtual, as long as it happens in real-time.

How do I count programs in section I? 

This table may help you with your program totals (if you would prefer to use an Excel workbook that calculates the totals, please contact Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator):

	In-person, onsite	In-person, offsite	Virtual
Age 0-5				Enter total from this row in I1
Age 6-11				Enter total from this row in I2
Age 12-18				Enter total from this row in I3
Age 19+				Enter total from this row in I4
General interest				Enter total from this row in I5
Do not track program by age				If you did not record ANY programs in the above rows, enter the total from this row in I5
	Enter total from this row in I7	Enter total from this row in I8	Enter total from this row in I9	The total in I6 should equal I10 (the sum of I7-9)

What if a program was held in-person and virtually at the same time?

Only count the program once, under inperson. However, when you count attendance, count the attendees under the way they accessed the program.

We recorded a live/synchronous program, and later put it up on YouTube.  How do we count this?

You can count this as a live (synchronous) program AND a recorded (asynchronous) program presentation.

How do we update information for main library/branch/bookmobile?

Please email any changes that need to be made to Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator

Can we add a branch/bookmobile?

Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator can add outlet information, please email information on the new outlet.

Can we delete a branch/bookmobile from the survey?

You can, but please reach out to Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator before you do.

What about craft/take-and-make kits? Seed libraries? Other indirect/passive programming?

You can record the total in I26.

I've locked my data, what happens now?

Leah Cannon, State Data Coordinator will review your data and reach out with any questions, or can unlock your survey for you.

Some information about your library facilities has been automatically entered in the survey. Please review addresses, contact information, etc. in all sections and contact the State Library to revise these locked fields if needed. Your Central (Headquarters) Library is shown in Section A and also in Section J. All other outlets and your Bookmobile (if you have one) are described in Section J.

SECTION A1 - A15: GENERAL INFORMATION

A1. LEGAL NAME OF LIBRARY. The name of the library as indicated in the County Ordinance.

A2. STREET ADDRESS. The complete street address. Do not report a post office box or a general delivery address.

A3. CITY. The city or town in which the facility is physically located.

A4. ZIP CODE. The standard five-digit postal zip code for the street address.

A5. MAILING ADDRESS. The complete mailing address.

A6. CITY. The city or town in which the facility receives mail.

A7. ZIP CODE. The standard five-digit postal zip code for the mailing address.

A8. TELEPHONE. The general telephone number of the facility, including area code. Enter number without spacing or punctuation.

A9. FAX. The number for the facsimile (fax) machine, including area code. Enter number without spacing or punctuation.

A10. WEB ADDRESS. The URL of the main page of the facility's web site (http://___________). If the facility has no web address, enter "0".

A11. COUNTY

A12. NAME OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR as of the first day of the fiscal year covered by the survey.

A13. E-MAIL OF DIRECTOR. The e-mail address to be used for the Director.

A14. DATE DIRECTOR APPOINTED. The date the library director was appointed. (Month and year: xx/xxxx)

A15. SQUARE FOOTAGE OF HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY. Enter square footage of the Headquarters facility as a whole number; enter -1 if not known. Square footage is the area in square feet of the public library outlet - the area on all floors enclosed by the outer walls of the facility, including areas off-limits to the public. Include any areas shared with another agency if the outlet has use of that area.

SECTION A16 - A18: SERVICE OUTLETS

A16. NUMBER OF CENTRAL (HEADQUARTERS) LIBRARIES. Count as one Headquarters facility ("the central library" or "main library") a single outlet library or the library that is the operational center of a multi-outlet library. Usually, all materials processing is centralized here and the principal collections are housed here. Each administrative entity may report either no central library or one central library. No administrative entity may report more than one central library. Where two or more libraries are considered "central libraries" for local purposes, one central and one or more branch libraries should be reported. Where there are several co-equal outlets and no principle collection, report all such outlets as branches, not central libraries.

A17. NUMBER OF BRANCH LIBRARIES. A branch library is an auxiliary unit of an administrative entity which has at least all of the following: (1) separate quarters; (2) an organized collection of library materials; (3) paid staff; and (4) regularly scheduled business hours (i.e., hours open to the public).

A18. NUMBER OF BOOKMOBILE(S). A bookmobile is a traveling branch library. It consists of all of the following: (1) a vehicle that carries an organized collection of library materials; (2) paid staff; and (3) regularly scheduled business hours (bookmobile stops).

A19 - A20: PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS FOR THE LIBRARY SYSTEM:

Headquarters Library public service hours and weeks are being reported in Section J this year, along with the Branches and Bookmobiles. A19 & A20 are system totals calculated by the survey, by adding all entries in Section J.

Questions A21-24 are hidden

A25. PROVIDE A BRIEF (1-2 paragraph) STATEMENT ABOUT YOUR LIBRARY

Share any stories or statistics that were not covered in this survey or that you would like to highlight.

LIBRARY BOARD

B1. NUMBER OF TRUSTEES CONSTITUTING A FULL BOARD. The number of Trustees authorized by the library ordinance and by-laws, whether or not all appointments have been made.

B2. NUMBER OF REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS HELD IN FY2024. The number of regular meetings held during the fiscal year. Exclude any special meetings.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

NUMBER OF FRIENDS GROUPS AND FRIENDS MEMBERS:

B3. IS THERE A SYSTEM-WIDE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ORGANIZATION? A group that exists for the benefit of the overall system, not for an individual branch library.

B4. ENTER THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE FRIENDS GROUPS, including the system-wide group if there is one, the group for the central library facility (if there is one), and each individual branch group.

B5. HOW MANY FRIENDS MEMBERS IN ALL GROUPS? System-wide plus any other groups. If the system wide Friends group encompasses all members of the small Friends groups, be careful not to double count.

B6. CURRENT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR FRIENDS. Name and email address of FOL President (mailing address if known).

LIBRARY PERSONNEL

Report figures as of June 30 of the fiscal year covered by the survey (6/30/2024). Include all positions, full and part time, funded in the library's budget, whether those positions are filled or not.

How to calculate FTE: To ensure comparable data, 40 hours per week has been set as the measure of full-time equivalent (FTE). Full-time employees are equal to 1 FTE. Calculate FTE for your staff by dividing the total hours of part-time staff in each category by the 40-hour measure, and then add the result to the number of full-time staff in each category. An employee who works 20 hours a week would be 0.5 FTE.

FTE = [hours worked per week] / 40

EXAMPLE:
You have 3 part-time librarians whose hours added together equal 60 hours per week. Divide 60 by 40, which equals 1.50 FTEs. (Round up the FTE hours to two (2) decimal places if needed).

Count each employee only once, and in one category only.

LIBRARIANS. Staff who do paid work that requires professional training and skill in the theoretical or scientific aspect of library work, or both, as distinct from its mechanical or clerical aspect. Do not count as Librarians any staff who do not have the formal position title of Librarian.

B7. FULL-TIME FUNDED ALA-ACCREDITED MASTER'S POSITIONS. Number of librarians holding an ALA-accredited Master's degree in library and information science working full-time.

B8. PART-TIME FUNDED ALA-ACCREDITED MASTER'S POSITIONS. Number of librarians holding an ALA-accredited Master's degree in library and information science working on a part-time schedule.

B9. FTE (full-time equivalent) TOTAL FOR ALL ALA-ACCREDITED MASTERS LIBRARIANS

OTHER LIBRARIANS (DO NOT INCLUDE LIBRARIANS WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE FROM AN ALA PROGRAM IN THIS SECTION): Persons with the title of librarian who do paid work that requires professional training and skill in the theoretical or scientific aspect of library work, or both, as distinct from its mechanical or clerical aspect. Do not count as librarians any staff who do not conform to this description.

B10. FULL-TIME FUNDED OTHER LIBRARIAN POSITIONS. Number of other librarians working full-time that DO NOT hold an ALA-accredited Master's degree in library and information science.

B11. PART-TIME FUNDED OTHER LIBRARIAN POSITIONS. Number of other librarians working part-time that DO NOT hold an ALA-accredited Master's degree in library and information science.

B12. FTE (full-time equivalent) TOTAL FOR ALL OTHER LIBRARIANS.

B13. TOTAL LIBRARIANS FTEs. This is the sum of FTE ALA ACCREDITED MASTERS LIBRARIANS (B9) AND FTE OTHER LIBRARIANS (B12)

ALL OTHER STAFF. Staff not hired as Librarians. Include all other employees paid through the library budget, including plant operation, security, and maintenance staff.

B14. FULL-TIME FUNDED OTHER STAFF POSITIONS

B15. PART-TIME FUNDED OTHER STAFF POSITIONS

B16. FTE (full-time equivalent) TOTAL FOR ALL OTHER STAFF

B17 - B19. TOTAL STAFF. Staff with title of Librarian and staff with all other titles. Total is expressed in FTEs. These fields are automatically calculated by the system:

B17 Full time funded positions: ( B7 + B10 + B14 )
B18 Part time funded positions: ( B8 + B11 + B15 )
B19 Total FTE (full-time equivalent) Staff: ( B13 + B16 )

B20. ANNUAL GROSS SALARY FOR BEGINNING LIBRARIAN. The annual salary that would typically be paid to a beginning librarian with an ALA-accredited degree and no professional experience as of 7/1/2024 Enter "0" if the library has no positions classified as beginning professional librarian.

B21. ANNUAL GROSS SALARY FOR LIBRARY DIRECTOR. The annual salary to be paid to the library director as of 7/1/2024

Notes and Definitions:

Operating Revenue and Capital Revenue available to the library must each be broken out into the following categories as defined below: Local, State, Federal, and Other. Round all figures to the nearest dollar.

OPERATING REVENUE: Revenue used for operating the library, (i.e., for the provision of library services), such as personnel, library materials, supplies, repair or replacement of furnishings and equipment, and operation and maintenance of the physical facility. Do not include revenue for capital expenditures, contributions to endowments, or the value of free items or gifts. Funds transferred from one public library to another should be reported by only one of the libraries.

CAPITAL REVENUE: Funds received during the fiscal year intended for capital expenditures. Include funds for a) site acquisition; b) new buildings; c) additions to or renovations of library building; d) furnishings, equipment and initial collection for new buildings, building additions, or building renovations; e) initial and major upgrade of computer hardware and software to support library operation, to link to networks, or to run information products; f) new vehicles; and g) other large, one-time projects. Do not include investments for capital appreciation. Report funds intended for capital expenditures even If you were unable to expend them (e.g., a large donation for a new building that you placed in an account to be used in a future year).

C1: MILLAGE

Libraries funded by millage: Report the number of mills rounded to two (2) decimal places. If the library does not receive revenue based on millage, enter "0".

C2 - C7: LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES

Report here funds from County and Municipal Government and any other local jurisdictions made available for operating your library, and funds intended for capital expenditures. Include local tax and non-tax dollars allocated by the community, district, or region available for expenditure by the public library. Do not include carryover funds.

C2: COUNTY OPERATING REVENUE. Funds received from County Government designated for operating expenses

C3: COUNTY CAPITAL REVENUE. Funds received from County Government designated for capital expenditures

C4: MUNICIPAL OR OTHER JURISDICTION - OPERATING REVENUE. Funds received from Municipal Government or other Local Government jurisdiction designated for operating expenses

C5: MUNICIPAL OR OTHER JURISDICTION - CAPITAL REVENUE. Funds received from Municipal Government or other Local Government jurisdiction designated for capital expenditures

C6: TOTAL LOCAL REVENUE FOR OPERATING. (Total of C2 and C4 is automatically calculated by the survey.)

C7: TOTAL LOCAL CAPITAL REVENUE. (Total of C3 and C5 is automatically calculated by the survey.)

C8-C18: STATE GOVERNMENT SOURCES

Report here operating and capital funds (i.e., "State Aid", Lottery) allocated to your library by the South Carolina State Government. Do not include federal money distributed by the State. Do not include carryover funds.

STATE REVENUE ("STATE AID") DESIGNATED FOR OPERATING

C9: STATE REVENUE ("STATE AID") DESIGNATED FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES (I.E., BOOKMOBILE)

C10: TOTAL STATE AID REVENUE ( C8 + C9 )

C11: LOTTERY REVENUE DESIGNATED FOR OPERATING

C12: LOTTERY REVENUE DESIGNATED FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES (WHEN PERMITTED)

C13: TOTAL LOTTERY REVENUE ( C11 + C12 )

C14: OTHER STATE OPERATING REVENUE

C15: OTHER STATE CAPITAL REVENUE

C16: TOTAL OTHER STATE REVENUE (C14 + C15)

C17: TOTAL STATE REVENUE FOR OPERATING (C8 + C11 + C14)

C18: TOTAL STATE REVENUE FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (C9 + C12 + C15)

C19-C24: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES

Report here funds provided to your library by the Federal Government within the survey period, including federal funds distributed by the State.

C19: LSTA FUNDS FOR OPERATING (total of all subgrants to library). Federal funds intended for use as Operating Revenue - typically, an LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) award in the form of a subgrant. LSTA funds are always used for operating expenses and may not be used for capital expenditures (do not include purchase of a Bookmobile or other library vehicle).

C20: LSTA FUNDS FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES. Sub grant award designated for capital expenditure (e.g., purchase of a Bookmobile or other library vehicle).

C21: OTHER FEDERAL OPERATING REVENUE. Other Federal funds received (such as an award directly to your county from IMLS or another Federal agency to be used for library operating expenses).

C22: OTHER FEDERAL CAPITAL REVENUE. Other Federal funds awarded to your county from a Federal agency to be used for capital expenditures (i.e., building project, Bookmobile purchase).

C23: TOTAL FEDERAL REVENUE FOR OPERATING (Total of C19 + C21 calculated by the survey).

C24: CAPITAL REVENUE FROM FEDERAL SOURCES (Total of C20 + C22 calculated by the survey).

C25 - C26: OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE

Report here revenue for operating and/or for capital expenditures from sources other than the Local, State, and Federal Government sources reported above. Include library fines and fees, interest income, cash gifts, grants from non-governmental local sources such as Friends organizations, and charitable donations made to the library. Do not include the value of contributed services, "in-kind" gifts or donations. Do not include funds carried forward from previous years.

C25: OTHER REVENUE FOR OPERATING

C26: OTHER REVENUE FOR CAPITAL

C27 - C29: REVENUE TOTALS

Totals for each form of revenue are calculated by the survey.

C27: TOTAL REVENUE FOR OPERATING (C6 + C17 + C23 + C25)

C28: TOTAL REVENUE FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY (C7 + C18 + C24 + C26)

C29: TOTAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL REVENUE (C27 + C28)

Report the current and recurrent cost of supporting the provision of library service. Significant costs, especially benefits and salaries, that are paid by other agencies (i.e., government agencies with the authority to levy taxes) "on behalf of" the library should be included if the information is available. Only expenditures that are supported by expenditure documents (such as invoices, contracts, payroll records, etc.) at the point of disbursement should be reported. Do not report the value of free items/gifts as expenditures. Do not report estimated cost as expenditures. Round all figures to the nearest dollar.

D1. SALARIES AND WAGES. Total for all library staff (all positions, full and part time, funded in the library's budget) whether those positions are filled or not, (including plant operations, security, and maintenance staff) for the fiscal year. Include salaries and wages before deductions, but exclude employee benefits.

D2. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Benefits outside of salaries and wages paid and accruing to an employee, (including plant operation, security, and maintenance staff) regardless of whether the benefits or equivalent cash options are available to all employees. Include direct paid employee benefits including Social Security, retirement, medical insurance, life insurance, guaranteed disability income protection, unemployment compensation, workmen's compensation, tuition, housing benefits, etc.

D3. TOTAL STAFF EXPENDITURES. The sum of salaries and wages and employee benefits. Calculated by the system ( D1 + D2 ).

COLLECTION EXPENDITURES

Report expenditures from the library budget for materials in print, microform, electronic, and other formats considered part of the collection and intended for use by the public, whether purchased, leased, or licensed. Exclude charges or fees for interlibrary loans and expenditures for document delivery.

D4. PRINT MATERIALS. Expenditures for print materials consisting primarily of text and usually produced by making an impression with ink on paper. Include materials that do not require magnification: Books, bound periodicals, government documents, Braille materials, ephemeral print materials, etc.

D5. ELECTRONIC (DIGITAL) MATERIALS. Report all operating expenditures for electronic (digital) content. Include expenditures for electronic content for which the library has acquired permanent or temporary access rights. Include fees paid to platforms that provide licensed content.

Electronic content can be accessed online from an electronic device. Types of electronic content include electronic materials (e-books, e-serials, e-audio, e-video), research databases, online learning platforms, reference tools, scores, maps, and pictures in electronic or digital format.

Note: Expenditures for computer software used to support library operations or to link to external networks, including the Internet, are reported under Other Operating Expenditures (D12).

D6a. PHYSICAL AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS. Materials that are displayed by visual projection or magnification or made audible through sound production, or both, including graphic materials, audio materials, motion pictures, video and DVD materials; also, special visual materials such as cartographic and three-dimensional materials.

D6b. OTHER PHYSICAL MATERIALS. Expenditures for other materials purchased for use by the public not reported above and materials in new formats not covered elsewhere.

D7. TOTAL OTHER PHYSICAL MATERIALS. Calculated by the system ( D6a + D6b ).

D8. TOTAL COLLECTIONS EXPENDITURES. Calculated by the system ( D4 + D5 + D7 ).

OTHER OPERATING EXPENDITURES

D9. DIGITIZATION. The amount expended for activities associated with putting library materials into digitized format(s). (Support, fees, supplies, equipment for digitization activities)

D10. FURNITURE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. Expenditures for all furniture and equipment, including technology equipment (computers and peripherals) purchased or leased with funds from the recurring operating budget. Put expenditures for software in D12.

D11. PLANT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. Expenditures for activities concerned with keeping the physical plant open, safe, and ready for use. Includes cleaning, disinfecting, heating, lighting, communications, power, moving furniture, handling stores, caring for grounds, and other such housekeeping activities as are repeated somewhat regularly on a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. Include minor repairs (e.g., broken windows).

D12. ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES. Expenditures incurred in the delivery of library services and the operation and maintenance of the physical facility not reported above. INCLUDE HERE EXPENDITURES FOR SOFTWARE.

D13. TOTAL OTHER OPERATING EXPENDITURES. Calculated by the system ( D9 + D10 + D11 + D12 ).

D14. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES. Include the sum of Total Staff Expenditures, Total Collection Expenditures and Total Other Operating Expenditures ( D3 + D8 + D13 ).

SECTION E1 - E6: LIBRARY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Report major capital expenditures that are not part of the regular operating budget, for the acquisition of or addition to fixed assets such as building sites, new buildings and building additions, new equipment, initial book stock, furnishings for new or expanded buildings, and new vehicles. Do not include replacement or repair of existing furnishings and equipment, regular purchase of library materials, and investments for capital appreciation.

E1. BUILDINGS. Report major capital expenditures for building sites, new buildings, and building additions.

E2. BOOKMOBILE/VEHICLES. Report major capital expenditures for vehicles, bookmobiles, outreach vehicles, vans, etc.

E3. FURNITURE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. Report major capital expenditures for initial equipment and furnishing for new, expanded, and/or renovated facilities. Exclude replacement cost.

E4. OTHER CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Report major capital expenditures which do not meet the definition above.

E5. TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Calculated by the system ( E1 + E2 + E3 + E4 ).

E6. GRAND TOTAL EXPENDITURES. The sum of Total Operating Expenditures and Total Capital Expenditures ( D14 + E5 ).

This section of the survey collects data on selected types of materials. Under this category, report only items the library has acquired as part of the collection, whether purchased, leased, licensed, or donated as gifts. Report for each category the number of physical units, i.e. volumes, items, or pieces. Count all physical materials in all formats that are charged out for the use outside the library.

Like items that are packaged together (e.g., two compact discs, two videocassettes) and which are checked out as a single package, should be counted as one physical unit.

SECTION F1 - F23: LIBRARY COLLECTIONS (MATERIALS FOR PUBLIC USE) Total inventory held as of 6/30/2024.

F1 - F3. BOOKS/SERIALS/VOLUMES (PHYSICAL PRINT FORMAT)

Books are non-serial printed publications (including music scores or other bound forms of printed music, and map content) that are bound in hard or soft covers, or in loose-leaf format. Include non-serial government documents. Report the number of physical units, including duplicates. Report the number of physical units, including duplicates. For smaller libraries, if volume data are not available, count the number of titles. Books packaged together as a unit (e.g., a 2-volume set) and checked out as a unit are counted as one physical unit.

F4 - F6. CURRENT PRINT SERIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Current subscriptions are arrangements by which, in return for a sum paid in advance, serials are provided for a specified number of issues. Report the number of current print serial subscriptions, including duplicates, for all outlets. Examples of serials are periodicals (magazines), newspapers, annuals, some government documents, some reference tools, and numbered monographic series.

F7 - F9. AUDIO MATERIALS. Physical materials on which sounds (only) are stored (recorded) and that can be reproduced (played back) mechanically, electronically, or both for listening. Include records, audiocassettes, audio cartridges, audio discs (including audio-CD-ROMs), audio-reels, talking books on tape or CD. Report the number of physical units, including duplicates.

F10 - F12. VIDEO MATERIALS. Materials on which moving pictures are recorded, with or without sound. Playback reproduces pictures, with or without sound, using a player or monitor (computer or television.) Video formats may include tape, DVD, CD-ROM. Report the number of physical units.

F13. OTHER CIRCULATING PHYSICAL ITEMS. Report a single figure that includes the following: all circulating physical items other than print books, physical audio units, physical video units, and serials. These are materials in a fixed, physical format available for use outside the library. These can include a variety of items types, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sewing machines, cake pans, tools, etc.

F14. TOTAL PHYSICAL ITEMS IN COLLECTION (excluding serials) calculates the total of all physical items in the collection ( F3 + F9 + F12 + F13 ).

F15 - F32: ELECTRONIC MATERIALS

This section has been revised for 2024.

Electronic Books
E-books are the digital equivalent of printed books that may be accessed online from an electronic device. Ebooks also include e-comics. Do not consider resources available for free in the public domain when answering the following questions.

F15. Did your library provide access to e-books purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F16. Did your library provide access to e-books purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F17. Did your library provide access to e-books provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

Electronic Serials
E-serials are periodic digital publications equivalent to printed newspapers, magazines, and similar media that are viewed as entire issues rather than as single articles returned from a research query. Do not consider resources available for free in the public domain when answering the following questions.

F18 Did your library provide access to e-serials purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F19. Did your library provide access to e-serials purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F20. Did your library provide access to e-serials provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

Electronic Audio
E-audio are digital files of sound only (e.g., audiobooks, music) that may be accessed online from an electronic device. Do not consider resources available for free in the public domain when answering the following questions.

F21. Did your library provide access to e-audio purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F22. Did your library provide access to e-audio purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F23. Did your library provide access to e-audio provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

Electronic Video
E-videos are digital files of moving visual images with or without sound (e.g., movies, television shows) that may be accessed online from an electronic device. Do not consider resources available for free in the public domain when answering the following questions.

F24. Did your library provide access to e-video purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F25. Did your library provide access to e-video purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F26. Did your library provide access to e-video provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

Research Databases
Research databases are organized collections of electronic data or records (e.g., facts, abstracts, articles, bibliographic data, texts, photographs) that can be searched to retrieve information. Do not consider resources available for free when answering the following questions.

F27. Did your library provide access to research databases purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F28. Did your library provide access to research databases purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F29. Did your library provide access to research databases provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

Online Learning Platforms
Online learning platforms primarily provide instruction, tools, and resources to enhance education, lifelong learning, and skill building. Platforms may offer homework assistance, language learning, test preparation, professional development, resume assistance, hobby instruction, etc. Do not consider resources available for free when answering the following questions.

F30. Did your library provide access to online learning platforms purchased solely by your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F31. Did your library provide access to online learning platforms purchased via a consortium, cooperative, or other similar group at the local, regional, or state level? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

F32. Did your library provide access to online learning platforms provided by the state library agency or another state agency at no or minimal cost to your library? (Y/N)

***new for 2024***

G1 - G3. REGISTERED USERS. Library users who have applied for and received an identification number or card from the library, which establishes the conditions under which a user may borrow materials. Report the total number of active, current registered users (adult and juvenile) for the entire system as of the last day (June 30) of the fiscal year covered by the survey, not just the number of new users added during the year.

NOTE: If you do not purge your registration file at least every three years, the validity of the number of registered users is questionable.

G4. ANNUAL PHYSICAL LIBRARY VISITS: The total number of persons entering all library outlets for whatever purpose during the year (i.e., "gate count"). If an actual count of visits is unavailable, determine an annual estimate by counting visits during a typical week and multiplying the count by 52. A "typical week" is a time that is neither unusually busy nor unusually slow. October is a good month for this purpose. Avoid holiday times, vacation periods for key staff, or days when unusual events are taking place in the community or the library. Choose a week in which the library is open for its regular hours. Include seven consecutive calendar days from Sunday through Saturday (or whenever the library is usually open). In G4a, indicate if you used the actual count [CT] or Annual Estimate [ES] in the dropdown.

G5. POPULATION OF THE LEGAL SERVICE AREA: This figure has been entered for your county using the Census 2020 data.

G6. NUMBER OF USES (SESSIONS) OF PUBLIC INTERNET COMPUTERS PER YEAR.

G6 is a count of uses or sessions, NOT of individual physical users sitting at computers.

Report the annual number of uses/sessions conducted at Internet-connected computers in the library during the year. This count includes only the library's Internet computers. Do not include Wi-Fi access using non-library computers.

If a computer is used for multiple purposes (for instance, word processing and use of library databases as well as Internet searching and email use), and Internet usage cannot be isolated, do report uses of these computers.

Do not include library staff Internet activity, unless you cannot separate these out. Do not include Internet searches performed by librarians assisting patrons at staff computers (i.e., at the reference desk) unless you cannot separate these from patron activity. Do not include library staff work-related transactions in the online catalog.

The number of uses or sessions may be counted manually, using registration logs or a software patron reservation product such as "PC Reservation", "Historian", or "Pharos". Count each use or session once regardless of the amount of time spent on the computer. A customer who uses the library's Internet computers two times a day would count as two uses.

If the data is collected as a weekly figure, multiply that figure by 52 to arrive at the annual figure. In G6a, indicate if you used the actual count [CT] or Annual Estimate [ES] in the dropdown.

G7. NUMBER OF INTERNET COMPUTERS USED BY GENERAL PUBLIC. The number of Internet terminals (personal computers (PCs), workstations, dumb terminals, and laptops), whether purchased, leased, or donated, that are intended for use by the general public in accessing the Internet in the library.

G8. ANNUAL NUMBER OF WIRELESS SESSIONS. Report the number of wireless sessions provided by the library wireless service annually. Wireless internet service is a key and increasing service of libraries. This count contributes to a national statistic regarding the level of service to monitor trends and to inform local, state and national broadband policies and initiatives. The information should be obtained from the library's wireless service provider and/or software. In G8a, indicate if you used the actual count [CT] or Annual Estimate [ES] in the dropdown.

G9. ANNUAL NUMBER OF WEBSITE VISITS. If not reporting, enter N/A. Report the number of visits to the library's website annually. Visits represent the annual number of sessions initiated by all users from inside or outside the library to the library website. The library website consists of all webpages under the library's domain. A website "visit" or "session" occurs when a user connects to the library's website for any length of time or purpose, regardless of the number of pages or elements viewed. Usage of library social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is not considered as website visits. Number of website visits may be tracked using Google Analytics (report the number of Sessions recorded in Google Analytics.)

G10. As of the end of the reporting period (6/30/2024), DOES THE LIBRARY CHARGE OVERDUE FINES TO ANY USERS WHEN THEY FAIL TO RETURN PHYSICAL PRINT MATERIALS BY THE DATE DUE? Overdue fines are monetary penalties that typically increase according to the number of days the materials are overdue. Overdue fines are not replacement costs for lost or damaged materials.

G11. Did your library offer automatic renewal for any physical materials during the reporting period? (Y/N)
***new for 2024***

G12. NUMBER OF TIMES LIBRARY FACILITIES WERE USED BY EXTERNAL PARTIES/GROUPS FOR NON–LIBRARY FUNCTIONS (scheduled use only). Include only scheduled use of meeting rooms, computer labs, or other areas of an outlet in your system. Do not include library programs held in conjunction with community partners or informal, unscheduled usage by patrons. Attendance at these activities does not need to be tracked.

H1. TOTAL ANNUAL REFERENCE TRANSACTIONS. Reference Transactions are information consultations in which library staff recommend, interpret, evaluate, and/or use information resources to help others to meet particular information needs.

Reference transactions do not include formal instruction or exchanges that provide assistance with locations, schedules, equipment, supplies, or policy statements.

NOTES:

(1) A reference transaction includes information and referral service, scheduled and unscheduled individual instruction and assistance in using information sources (including websites and computer-assisted instruction).

(2) Count Readers Advisory questions as reference transactions.

(3) Information sources include (a) printed and non-printed material; (b) machine-readable databases (including computer-assisted instruction); (c) the library's own catalogs and other holdings records; (d) other libraries and institutions through communication or referral; and (e) persons both inside and outside the library.

(4) When a staff member uses information gained from previous use of information sources to answer a question, the transaction is reported as a reference transaction even if the source is not consulted again.

(5) If a contact includes both reference and directional services, it should be reported as one reference transaction.

(6) Duration should not be an element in determining whether a transaction is a reference transaction.

(7) Do not include transactions that include only a directional service, such as instruction for locating staff, library users, or physical features within the library. Examples of directional transactions include, "Where is the reference librarian? Where is Jean Smith? Where is the rest room? Where are the 600s? Can you help me make a photocopy?"

H1a. REFERENCE TRANSACTIONS REPORTING METHOD.

Annual Count vs. Annual Estimate

If an annual count of reference transactions is unavailable, count reference transactions during a typical week or weeks, and multiply the count to represent an annual estimate. A "typical week" is a time that is neither unusually busy nor unusually slow. Avoid holiday times, vacation periods for key staff, or 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.

Example: If there are four weeks sampled, multiply the totals for those four weeks by thirteen to get an estimate for the full year. If the sample is done twice a year (one week at each time, two weeks total) multiply the count by 26 to get the estimated annual count.

H1B. NUMBER OF SCHEDULED SPECIALIZED 1:1 SESSIONS BETWEEN LIBRARY STAFF AND PATRON(S). Include scheduled sessions between library staff and patrons that require specialized assistance beyond that of a traditional reference transaction. Some examples may include specialized instruction or consultation with staff social workers or other licensed personnel. Do not include reference transactions counted in H1, directional advice, or impromptu equipment/tech training.

H2 - H21: CIRCULATION AND INTERLIBRARY LOAN: Circulation transactions for electronic/downloadable materials are broken out separately from print materials. See below for detailed information.

Note on Teen/YA circulation: The Federal survey does not ask for a report on circulation of teen materials. Libraries in South Carolina do collect and report Teen/YA circulation because it is an important number for most libraries. Because of inconsistencies in the way these materials are represented in individual library's automated system, each library must decide how to include Teen/YA circs. If your circ system lumps Teen/YA circs in with Adult circs (most libraries do this), that is how you should report them in the survey.

It is recommended that, when you have the ability to break out Teen/YA circ statistics, you keep those records locally for future reference.

H2 - H11. Circulation of materials in all physical formats to all users, including renewals. Include books, other print materials, physical "audio/visual" materials such as CDs, DVDs, kits, games, technology, children's toys, and other items the library circulates that don't conform to any other category in this section. The totals and grand total circulation of materials in physical formats reported in H9-H11. Do not include electronic/downloadable circulation/usage in H2-H11; report this usage in H12-H15.

Totals for circulation of juvenile and adult materials:

H2, H3, H4. Children's physical material circulation includes print materials and audio-visual to all users, including renewals. H4 is the total of H2 + H3. If possible, do not include materials for teens/young adults.

H5, H6, H7. Adult physical materials circulation includes print materials and audio-visual to all users, including renewals. H7 is the total of H5 + H6. Teen/YA circulation may be included here per local policy.

H8 is the circulation of all physical items other than print books, physical audio units, physical video units, and serials, including renewals. These are materials in a fixed, physical format available for use outside the library, your "library of things." These can include a variety of items types, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sewing machines, cake pans, tools, telescopes, board games, video games, etc.

Totals for circulation of physical materials (all ages combined):

H9 is the circulation of books and other print materials (H2 + H5).

H10 is the circulation of A/V and other physical items that are not electronic/downloadable) ( H3 + H6 + H8 ).

H11 is the total circulation of physical items (not electronic/downloadable) for all ages ( H9 + H10 ).

H12-H17. USE/CIRCULATION OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS.

(1) Definition of electronic materials: Information and entertainment content that is accessed via a computer or a portable device such as an e-book reader, tablet, mobile phone, or listening device.

(2) Types of electronic materials: E-books, electronic serials, video and audio files.

(3) Electronic information retrievals (such as those indexed in, accessed through, or retrieved from a database such as a GALE or EBSCO product, are NOT counted here.

(4) Usage or circulation of electronic/downloadable items is the count of downloading or streaming electronic content to a user's listening, reading, or viewing device, enabled by the activation of the user's library registration (user account). Report only use of items that requires a user authentication, having a limited period of use. Electronic use/circulation is usually counted by vendors of electronic materials (Overdrive, etc.) and is reported to the library. Or, libraries may run their own reports on usage of different formats and services.

(5) Electronic use/circulation is usually counted by vendors of electronic materials (Overdrive, etc.) and is reported to the library. Or, libraries may run their own reports on usage of different formats and services.

(6) Libraries should also report usage of any items provided locally (i.e., not provided through a vendor, such as locally created e-books or digital files).

(7) Count the use (circulation) of Electronic Periodicals (e-magazines and periodicals subscribed to by your own library) in H15. Do not include DISCUS electronic periodical usage.

(8) Use/circulation of electronic materials is not broken out in this report by age group.

H12 through H16. Report use/circulation of E-books, downloadable audio and video items, and electronic serials. The total use of electronic downloadable items is calculated automatically by the survey in H16, as the sum of H12 through H15.

H17. Grand total circulation/usage of physical materials, and electronic downloadable items is calculated by the survey in H17, as the sum of H11 and H16.

H18-H19. INTERLIBRARY LOANS. Interlibrary loans are transactions involving library materials (books, journals, etc.) provided by one autonomous library to another upon request. The count is represented as the number of items loaned. Count only items borrowed for users. Do not include items checked out to another library. The libraries involved in interlibrary loan are not under the same library administration (so, do not count transactions of this kind between branches of a single library system.) The data are reported as annual figures. Photocopies of articles sent in lieu of a journal are also counted as interlibrary loans. Items borrowed from or loaned to the State Library are counted as interlibrary loans.

Provided to another library: The total number of interlibrary loans provided to another library upon request. Each renewal of an item provided to another library is counted as one interlibrary loan.

Received from another library: The total number of items received from another library upon request. A renewal of an item received from another library is counted as a circulation.

Loans between member libraries of a consortial system sharing a union catalog, such as SCLENDS, are considered interlibrary loans and should be counted as such for this survey. [These items are referred to as "ICLs" (intra–consortia loans) by SCLENDS members.] Count transactions between SCLENDS libraries and non–SCLENDS libraries as interlibrary loans, and combine this count with the count of ICLs to obtain totals of interlibrary loans in H21 and H22.

"Live program" are also called "synchronous program".

An in-person onsite program session is any planned event that includes an in-person attendance option and takes place at library facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, a job skills class in the library or a nature program on the library grounds. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include in-person program sessions that also have a virtual attendance option and count them as a single program session.

An in-person offsite program session is any planned event that includes an in-person attendance option and takes place somewhere other than the library or the library grounds. Examples include, but are not limited to facilitating a book club at a local nursing home, hosting a storytime at a local farmer's market, or visiting a school to present about library services. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include in-person program sessions that also have a virtual attendance option and count them as a single program session.

A synchronous (live) virtual program session is any planned event streamed virtually and viewable live as it progresses (i.e., live-streaming). Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include virtual program sessions that are also recorded. Count virtual program sessions at the administrative entity level; do not duplicate numbers at each branch. Exclude program sessions that also have an in-person component; these should be counted as Synchronous In-Person Onsite Program Sessions Synchronous In-Person Offsite Program Sessions.

Children are broken out into two categories: 0-5 and 6-11. Count programs/attendance based on primary target audience.

Definition of a program: A program is any event planned for an audience which introduces the group attending to any of the broad range of library services or activities or which directly provides information to participants. Programs may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need. Examples of programs include film showings, lectures, story hours, literacy and ESL programs, citizenship classes, and book discussions. Additional examples include craft programs, gaming and technology programs, and other hands-on skill building programs.

To determine if a program is a "library program", think about how much involvement library staff has in the development or delivery of the content, and how the content relates to library goals, such as reading and support for learning. Libraries are now doing programming in the arts and crafts, science and technology, health and nutrition - all topics that involve learning. The library staff's degree of involvement is what puts these programs more into the realm of authentic "library" programs. Their role includes providing information about the library and its services to encourage library use. Count all programs, whether in-person, offsite, or virtual, synchronous or asynchronous, sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Exclude programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities.

Each program session should only be counted once, regardless of the number of formats in which it is presented. For example, a program session that has both in-person and virtual attendance options should be counted as a single in-person program session.

Each program session should only be counted in one age category based on its primary target audience.

If programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a film series offered once a week for eight weeks should be counted as eight programs.

Public Training: Training (instructional programming) is a subset of library programs and is NOT counted separately. Count and include trainings and training attendees as for any other type of program.

Training is conducted in the form of a structured session, class, lesson, workshop, or seminar of any length that provides instruction on a stated topic. Training may be presented on-site, off-site or online. "Structured" means the session has a designed, pre-planned curriculum. Examples of training include instructional classes on DISCUS resources, training for parents and caregivers on literacy development in young children, technology literacy instruction (i.e., a class on how to set up E-mail or a class on identity protection), workshops on genealogy research methods, prep sessions for the GED.

Events that are not library programs:

 

• Programs sponsored or conducted by other groups using library facilities.
• Instances of informal, unstructured, unplanned assistance to individuals such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, resume writing assistance, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. These may be counted as reference transactions (H1) OR as scheduled 1:1 sessions (H1b) but not as library programs.

 

LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM SESSIONS

Programs	In-person,onsite	In-person, offsite	Virtual
Age 0-5				Enter total from this row in I1
Age 6-11				Enter total from this row in I2
Age 12-18				Enter total from this row in I3
Age 19+				Enter total from this row in I4
General interest/Did not track programs by age				Enter total from this row in I5
	Enter total from this column in I7	Enter total from this column in I8	Enter total from this column in I9	The total in I6 must equal I10 (the sum of I7-9)

I1. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM SESSION TARGETED AT CHILDREN AGES 0–5:

Definition: A program session targeted at children ages 0–5 is any planned event for which the primary audience is infants, toddlers, or preschool–age children. Examples of these types of program sessions include, but are not limited to, story hours, Every Child Ready to Read programs, musical or sing–along events, and puppet shows. Include program sessions aimed at children ages 0–5, even if adult caregivers also attend. Each program session should only be counted in one age category based on its primary target audience.

Count all programs, whether held on or off–site, that are sponsored or co–sponsored by the library. Do not include programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities.

If programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a story hour provided once a week, 48 weeks a year, should be counted as 48 programs. Exclude library activities for children delivered on a one–to–one basis rather than to a group, such as one–to–one literacy tutoring and services to homebound.

If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 0–5, enter 0.

I2. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM SESSIONS TARGETED AT CHILDREN AGES 6–11:

A program session targeted at children ages 6–11 is any planned event for which the primary audience is elementary–school–age children. Examples of these types of program sessions include, but are not limited to, story hours, science events, crafting classes, and summer reading events. Include program sessions aimed at children ages 6–11, even if adult caregivers also attend with the children. Each program session should only be counted in one age category based on its primary target audience.

Count all programs, whether held on or off–site, that are sponsored or co–sponsored by the library. Do not include programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities.

If programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a story hour provided once a week, 48 weeks a year, should be counted as 48 programs. Exclude library activities for children delivered on a one–to–one basis rather than to a group, such as one–to–one literacy tutoring and services to homebound homework assistance, and mentoring activities.

If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 6–11, enter 0.

I3. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM SESSIONS TARGETED AT YOUNG ADULTS AGES 12–18:

Definition: Young adult age is defined as 12 through 18 years and includes 18–year–olds. A young adult program is any planned event for which the primary audience is young adults and which introduces the group of young adults attending to any of the broad range of library services or activities for young adults or which directly provides information to participants. Young adult programs may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Young adult programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need. Examples of these types of programs include book clubs, summer reading events, gaming and technology programs.

Count all young adult programs, whether held on or off–site, that are sponsored or co–sponsored by the library. Do not include programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities.

If young adult programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a book club offered every two weeks, 24 weeks a year, should be counted as 24 programs. Exclude library activities for young adults delivered on a one–to–one basis, rather than to a group, such as one–to–one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, resume writing assistance, homework assistance, and mentoring activities.

If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 12 to 18, enter 0.

I4. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM SESSIONS TARGETED AT ADULTS AGE 19 or OLDER:

Definition: Adult age is defined as age 19 and above. An adult program is any planned event for which the primary audience is adults and which introduces the group of adults attending to any of the broad range of library services or activities for adults or which directly provides information to participants. Adult programs may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Adult programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need. Examples of these types of programs include book clubs, workshops, maker and technology programs.

Count all adult programs, whether held on or off–site, that are sponsored or co–sponsored by the library. Do not include adult programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities.

If adult programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a book club offered every two weeks, 24 weeks a year, should be counted as 24 programs. Exclude library activities for adults delivered on a one–to–one basis, rather than to a group, such as one–to–one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, resume writing assistance, and mentoring activities.

The number of programs offered for persons over age 19. If no programs are conducted for adults, enter 0.

I5. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) GENERAL INTEREST PROGRAM SESSIONS (does NOT include programs counted in I1–I4):

Definition: A general interest program session is any planned event appropriate for any age group or multiple age groups. Include all–age, all–library, family, and intergenerational program sessions. Examples of these program sessions include but are not limited to family game nights, holiday events, storytelling programs, or chess clubs. Include all programs here that do not fit into the other age category elements. Each program session should only be counted in one age category based on its primary target audience; do not include program sessions here that have already been counted in earlier age category elements. Avoid including program sessions that are targeted at more than one non–adult age category (and are not targeted at adults); these should be counted in the child or young adult age category that best represents the target audience.

I6. TOTAL NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) LIBRARY PROGRAM SESSIONS. Enter the sum of ( I1 + I2 + I3 + I4 + I5 ), OR enter the total number of programs not conducted for specific age–defined audiences:

This is a total count of the number of synchronous (live) program sessions during the reporting period. If programs are offered as a series, count each program session in the series. For example, a film series offered once a week for eight weeks should be counted as eight program sessions. Include in–person onsite, in–person offsite, and virtual synchronous program sessions. Each program session should only be counted once, regardless of the number of formats in which it is presented. For example, a program session that has both in–person and virtual attendance options should be counted as a single program session.

Enter the sum of:

• I11 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Children Ages 0–5
• I12 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Children Ages 6–11
• I13 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Young Adults Ages 12–18
• I14 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Adults Age 19 or Older
• I15 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) General Interest Programs

OR enter the total number of programs if you do not track by specific age–defined audiences.

I7. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) IN–PERSON ONSITE PROGRAM SESSIONS:

An in–person onsite program session is any planned event that includes an in–person attendance option and takes place at library facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, a job skills class in the library or a nature program on the library grounds. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include in–person program sessions that also have a virtual attendance option and count them as a single program session.

I8. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) IN–PERSON OFFSITE PROGRAM SESSIONS:

An in–person offsite program session is any planned event that includes an in–person attendance option and takes place somewhere other than the library or the library grounds. Examples include, but are not limited to facilitating a book club at a local nursing home, hosting a storytime at a local farmer's market, or visiting a school to present about library services. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include in–person program sessions that also have a virtual attendance option and count them as a single program session.

I9. NUMBER OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) VIRTUAL PROGRAM SESSIONS:

A synchronous (live) virtual program session is any planned event streamed virtually and viewable live as it progresses (i.e., live–streaming). Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Include virtual program sessions that are also recorded. Include program sessions hosted on Facebook Premiere that are facilitated by a staff member. Count virtual program sessions at the administrative entity level; do not duplicate numbers at each branch. Exclude program sessions that also have an in–person component; these should be counted under Number Synchronous In–Person Onsite Program Sessions or Number of Synchronous In–Person Offsite Program Sessions.

I10. TOTAL OF LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) ONSITE, OFFSITE, AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS (I7 + I8 + I9)

Calculated by the system. This total should equal the number entered in I6.

LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM ATTENDANCE

Programs	In-person,onsite	In-person, offsite	Virtual
Age 0-5				Enter total from this row in I11
Age 6-11				Enter total from this row in I12
Age 12-18				Enter total from this row in I13
Age 19+				Enter total from this row in I14
General interest/Did not track programs by age				Enter total from this row in I15
	Enter total from this column in I17	Enter total from this column in I18	Enter total from this column in I19	The total in I6 should equal I20 (the sum of I17-19)

I11. ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAMS TARGETED AT CHILDREN AGES 0–5:

The count of the audience at all program sessions for which the primary audience is children ages 0 to 5 years. Please count all attendees of these program sessions regardless of age. If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 0–5, enter 0.

I12. ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAMS TARGETED AT CHILDREN AGES 6–11:

The count of the audience at all program sessions for which the primary audience is children ages 6 to 11 years. Please count all attendees of these program sessions regardless of age. If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 6–11, enter 0.

I13. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAMS TARGETED AT YOUNG ADULTS AGES 12–18:

The count of attendance at all programs for which the primary audience is young adults 12 to 18 years and includes 18–year–olds. Include people of all ages who attend programs intended primarily for young adults, regardless of age.

If no programs are conducted specifically for persons age 12–18, enter 0.

I14. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAMS TARGETED AT ADULTS AGE 19 OR OLDER:

The count of attendance at all programs delivered for audiences over age 19. Please count all attendees of these program sessions regardless of age.

If no programs are conducted specifically for adults, enter 0.

I15. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) GENERAL INTEREST PROGRAMS:

The count of the audience at program sessions that are appropriate for any age group or multiple age groups. Please count all attendees of these program sessions regardless of age. Avoid counting attendees of program sessions that are targeted at more than one non–adult age category (and are not targeted at adults); these should be counted in the age category that best represents the target audience.

I16. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT ALL LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAMS ( I11 + I12 + I13 + I14 + I15 ), OR enter the total attendance at programs not conducted for specific age–defined audiences:

This is the total count of the audience at all program sessions during the reporting period. Include all attendees regardless of age (e.g., count all adult attendees of children's programs in children's program attendance).

For program sessions with both in–person and virtual attendance, combine attendee counts across formats or platforms.

This is the sum of:

• I11 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Children Ages 0–5
• I12 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Children Ages 6–11
• I13 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Young Adults Ages 12–18
• I14 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) Programs Targeted at Adults Age 19 or Older
• I15 Attendance at Live (Synchronous) General Interest Programs

I17. LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) IN–PERSON ONSITE PROGRAM ATTENDANCE:

This is the count of in–person attendance at live (synchronous) program sessions that take place at library facilities. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended the program session.

For in–person onsite programs that also have a virtual component, exclude virtual attendance; this should be counted under Synchronous Virtual Program Attendance (I19).

I18. LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) IN–PERSON OFFSITE PROGRAM ATTENDANCE:

This is the count of in–person attendance at live (synchronous) program sessions that take place somewhere other than the library. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended the program session.

For in–person offsite programs that also have a virtual component, exclude virtual attendance; this should be counted under Synchronous Virtual Program Attendance (I19).

I19. LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) VIRTUAL PROGRAM ATTENDANCE:

This is the count of live attendance at live (synchronous) virtual program sessions. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee or view should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended or viewed the program session. Count each participant device connected to a virtual program as a single attendee. For program sessions hosted on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or similar platforms, count peak concurrent viewers. For those hosted on videoconferencing platforms, count the maximum number of non–staff participants during the session.

For virtual program sessions that are also recorded for later, on–demand, asynchronous viewing, exclude views that occur after the session has ended; these should be counted under Total Views of Asynchronous Program Presentations (I22). For program sessions that also have an in–person component, exclude in–person attendance; this should be counted under Synchronous In–Person Onsite Program Attendance (I17) or Synchronous In–Person Offsite Program Attendance (I18).

I20. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT LIVE (SYNCHRONOUS) ONSITE, OFFSITE, AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS (I17 + I18 + I19)

Calculated by the system. The total in I20 should equal the total entered in I16.

RECORDINGS, OUTREACH, and TRAINING

I21. TOTAL NUMBER OF RECORDED (ASYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS:

Asynchronous program presentations are recorded videos or audio of program content that are posted online for downloading or on-demand viewing or listening (rather than livestreaming). Only include program presentations posted during the reporting period. Include live program sessions that are recorded and posted online. Count each unique video or audio recording only once regardless of the number of platforms on which it is posted. Do not duplicate numbers at each branch; count only at the administrative entity level.

I22. TOTAL VIEWS OF RECORDED (ASYNCHRONOUS) PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS WITHIN 30 DAYS:

Report the count of views or plays of asynchronous program presentations for a period of thirty (30) days after the presentation was posted, even if that period extends beyond the survey reporting period (or fiscal year). For program presentations made available via Facebook, count unique 1-minute views of each video. For other platforms, count unique views or plays of each video or audio recording.

For program presentations that are recordings of Live (synchronous) virtual program sessions, exclude live (synchronous) attendance; these should be counted under LIVE (Synchronous) In-Person Onsite Program Attendance (I17), LIVE (Synchronous) In-Person Offsite Program Attendance (I18), or LIVE (Synchronous) Virtual Program Attendance (I19).

I23. NUMBER OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED:

Outreach is conducted away from the library facility (at a non-library location within the library's geographic service area.) Report the number of outreach events and activities conducted by library staff.

A total of all outreach activities is reported, but some outreach activities are programs (that is, they conform to the definition of a program) and should also be counted as programs. Examples: Training conducted at a daycare center; a book talk given at a senior center. Include programs and training sessions conducted away from the library in your count of programs.

Examples of outreach activities:

• Visits to the homebound or to senior residences (Note: Do not include Bookmobile visits - see note below.)
• Visits to schools and daycare facilities to conduct story times
• Promotional presentations about the library to community organizations
• Training sessions conducted for the public at a church or community center
• Library participation in local events, such as setting up a library table at a local festival.

Bookmobile activities are not reported in Outreach counts due to the difficulty of keeping track of individual stops, changes in schedule, defining what is included in a stop, etc. Do not include regular Bookmobile stops or visits either as outreach or as programs in Section I.

However, if a program that fits the definitions in this section (i.e. planned and scheduled for an audience) is provided at a Bookmobile stop, include the program in the library's program count.

I24-25. STAFF TRAINING:

Report the number of staff trained and the number of hours of training attended by staff in structured training sessions, workshops, conferences, etc. This data allows us to make two points of comparison: The % of library staff that have received training, and the average number of staff hours spent in training.

Activities to include: Include hours spent in sessions that are conducted and/or sponsored by the library as well as those provided by other trainers or organizations such as local government, State Library, library associations etc.

Staff training can be a class, lesson, lecture, workshop, conference session, or seminar of any length that provides structured instruction of any kind for library staff. The content or curriculum must be purposely designed and pre-planned. A training event may be part of a series or it may be a unique offering. Do not include informal, unstructured assistance to individual library staff members. Do include conference sessions attended (but not recreational or social activities at conferences.)

Peer training is a special type of training between individuals which is often difficult to document. It should be counted if it fits the conditions described above.

I24. NUMBER OF STAFF TRAINED:

Count each staff member attending each instance of training. For example: A staff member who attends two separate training sessions, even if the training is part of a series, is reported as 2 staff trained.

I25. NUMBER OF HOURS OF TRAINING ATTENDED BY STAFF:

Report the total number of hours library staff spent attending training sessions. Count time spent at conferences in actual sessions (not total conference time) as training. Count structured independent study, such as a webinar, as training time, whether at the work site or conducted off site, assuming such study is counted as paid work time.

NOTE: Do not include the number of hours spent by library staff planning or conducting training sessions. While staff trainer hours are an important component for measuring library productivity, the intent of this data element is strictly to measure number of training hours received by or participated in by library staff.

Reporting Staff Training - Examples

If one staff member attends 20 hours of on-site training during the year, another attends five two-hour SCLA conference sessions, and a third completes five hours of webinar training, the total is 35 hours of training.

For each training session provided to a group of staff members, count the number of hours duration of the session and multiply by the number of staff attending the session. For a group of ten attending a two-hour training session, report 10 staff trained and 20 hours of training.

I26. Total participants in self-directed, indirect, or passive activities. Count items or kits intended for use outside the library (e.g., take-and-makes, activity kits. Count all items in a kit or bag as one item), or participants in self-guided activities (e.g., StoryWalks, scavenger hunts). Do not include Summer Reading participation in this total.

Review the information for each library outlet and revise as needed. Some fields are locked in the survey and cannot be changed by the user; call the State Library to revise these fields if needed. Each Bookmobile is considered a branch (outlet); STREET address is the location Bookmobile resides when not in operation.

J1. *OUTLET NAME. Official name of the outlet.

J2. *STREET ADDRESS. Complete street address of the outlet.

Note: Do not report a post office box or general delivery.

J3. *CITY. City or town in which the outlet is located.

J4. *ZIP. Standard five-digit postal zip code for the street address of the outlet.

J5. *COUNTY. County in which the outlet is located.

J6. *PHONE NUMBER (including area code).

J7. *OUTLET TYPE. (Provided)

J8. *SIZE (SQUARE FOOTAGE) OF OUTLET. Square footage is the area in square feet of the public library outlet - the area on all floors enclosed by the outer walls of the facility, including areas off limits to the public. Include any areas shared with another agency if the outlet has use of that area.

J9. NAME OF OUTLET MANAGER.

J10. *PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS A LIBRARY IS OPEN. Hours for this outlet only. This is the number of actual hours an outlet was open for service in the survey period, reported as a total for the entire year for that outlet (reported individually for Headquarters, Branch, and Bookmobile.) For each Bookmobile, count only the hours during which the Bookmobile is open to the public. Minor variations in public service hours need not be included. Extensive hours closed to the public due to natural disasters or other events should be excluded from the count.

J11. WEEKEND AND EVENING HOURS OF SERVICE. Evening hours of service are public service hours after 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours of service are all public service hours on Saturday and Sunday. Enter the total of weekend and evening hours for the entire year for each outlet including the Headquarters facility.

J12. *NUMBER OF WEEKS LIBRARY IS OPEN. Weeks for this outlet only. This is the number of actual weeks an outlet was open for service in the survey period, reported as a total for the entire year (reported individually for Headquarters, Branch, and Bookmobile.)

The count should be based on the number of weeks that a library outlet was open for half or more of its scheduled service hours. Extensive weeks closed to the public due to natural disasters or other events should be excluded from the count.

Do not calculate based on total number of service hours per year at the outlet level. For example, do not calculate by dividing total hours by the average hours open per week; instead, enter the actual number of weeks open. Round to the nearest whole number of weeks. If the library was open half or more of its scheduled hours in a given week, round up to the next week. If the library was open less than half of its scheduled hours, round down.