WorldOMeters

Real time world statistics. Us, by the numbers, in the world, and in the United States.

Library Statistics

The latest update of the Public Libraries Survey (PLS) data is now available on the IMLS web site. This survey has a CENSUS URL, not so incidentally.

Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011

Now available: U.S. Census Bureau's tatistical Abstract of the United States: 2011. The Abstract is perennially the federal government's best-selling reference book, but is also available online at the link. When it was first published in 1878, the nation had only 38 states, people usually got around using a horse and buggy, Miami and Las Vegas did not yet exist, and Franklin D. Roosevelt had yet to be born. The Abstract has been published nearly every year since then.

Contained in the 130th edition are 1,407 tables of social, political and economic facts that collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. Included this year are 65 new tables, covering topics such as insufficient rest or sleep, nursing home occupancy, homeschooling, earthquakes, U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions, organic farmland, honey bee colonies, crashes involving distracted drivers and cities with the highest transit savings.

The statistics come not only from the Census Bureau but also from other governmental agencies and private organizations. The data generally represent the most recent year or period available by summer 2010. Most are national-level data, but some tables present state- and even city- and metropolitan-level data as well.

World Statistics Day

The United Nations General Assembly designated Oct. 20, 2010, as the first-ever World Statistics Day to highlight the role of official statistics and the many achievements of national statistical systems. Statistical organizations throughout the world will celebrate World Statistics Day at the national and regional level. The census, the U.S. Census Bureau and 13 other principal federal statistical agencies together have been collecting statistics about the nation's people, economy and society since 1790.

Here are some statistics, including statistics about statistics.

National Center for Education Statistics

If you're looking for a source of education-related statistics, visit the Institute of Education Sciences' National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

NCES is part of the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. It is the primary organization that collects, analyzes, and reports on education-related data in the United States. NCES reports complete statistics on the condition of American education and education activities internationally.

In addition to education statistics, NCES also provides other tools, such as the ability to search for schools, colleges, and libraries, or use the college navigator to identify schools that best meet the user's criteria.

Google Starts Begins Making Public Data Easier to Access, Visual

Google is adding search power to public data. The new public records search and visualization service (it's in the very early stages of development) went live Tuesday afternoon. Check it out.

State Library Agency Report for FY 2007

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) issued its second library statistics report on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The State Library Agency Report for FY 2007 includes a wide array of information on topics such as libraries' Internet access and electronic services, collections, staff, and revenue. The survey provides state and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users information on the range of roles played by state library agencies and the financial, human, and informational resources invested in the agencies' work.

Findings in FY 2007 include the following:
-The number of book and serial volumes held by state library agencies totaled 24.1 million.
-There were 1.6 million visits to state library agencies.
-All state library agencies facilitated library access to the Internet.
-The total number of budgeted full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions in state library agencies was 3,500 as of October 1, 2007.
-State library agencies reported total expenditures of $1.2 billion.
-State library agencies reported total revenue of $1.2 billion.
-All state libraries agencies provided administration of IMLS funding through the Grants to States program; library statistics; library planning, evaluation, and research; and review of technology plans for the E-rate telecommunications discount program.

The body of the report is composed of tables providing an overview of state library agencies during the 2007 fiscal year. The tables present data on seven main topics:
1. Collections: describes state library holdings of materials in various formats.
2. Service Transactions: characterizes library use, such as circulation and reference transactions.
3. Internet Access and Electronic Services: describes the efforts of agencies to facilitate internet access among libraries in their states, as well as the availability of statewide electronic services, information, and networks.
4. Staffing and Public Service Hours: staffing levels and the functions performed by employees of state library agencies, as well as the number of public service hours during a typical week.
5. Expenditures: describes how state library funds are expended.
6. Revenue: identifies various sources of revenue.
7. Services to Libraries and Cooperatives: identifies activities and programs that support public, academic, school, special libraries, and library cooperatives.

For more information on library statistics: http://www.imls.gov/statistics.

The report is available in PDF format here.

The data is available in Access and Flat (ascii) File format here.

New York State Statistical Yearbook

The Rockefeller Institute of Government has published the 32nd edition of its popular New York State Statistical Yearbook, providing updated information on a vast array of state data and state agency contacts for news media, citizens, government officials, and others. The 714-page Yearbook contains information ranging from population and health statistics to information on education in the state. Information is freely available online as a series of Excel pages here.

For more information or to obtain a copy, click here. Read the news release.

Digest of Education Statistics, 2006

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

The 42nd in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest’s primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.