The Year-Long Journey Of a State Data Coordinator December, 2015

Destination 1.Submission of data through PLS Web Portal by the established deadline. 2.Submission of Chief Officer letter to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 3.Timely response to follow up inquiries.

We Travel Together Group 1 AK, AZ, CA, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, KY, MA, MD, MT, NC, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV, WY Group 2 (and 3) AL, AR, CO, DC, FL, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, Territories, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Group 3: TX

January Group 1 Review statistics from each library to identify out-of- range data and errors and consult with public library staff about their odd responses. (November – March) Receive PLS Web Portal User’s Guide. Group 2 Send annual report forms on paper or in electronic format to every public library Receive PLS Web Portal User’s Guide.

February Group 1 This is the month that you might schedule your vacation. Group 2 Yes, Group 2s may even take vacations!

March Group 1 Vote with state librarian on ballot for new and revised data elements proposed during December PLS annual conference Group 2 Vote with state librarian on ballot for new and revised data elements proposed during December PLS annual conference

April Group 1 Submit library data from previous year to AIR by early submission date of April 29, 2016, for points toward the Keppel Award. Final deadline of May 13, Publish public library statistics for your state on paper or electronically (varies) Group 2 All annual reports should be returned to SDC by now Publicize and explain to public library staff any new or revised statistics approved by national vote of SDCs that will be collected for the first time; Ride herd on stragglers to get the final few reports

May Group 1 Respond to edit follow-up sent by AIR concerning questionable data submitted for your state Publicize and explain to public library staff any new or revised statistics approved by national vote of SDCs that will be collected for the first time Group 2 Review statistics from each library to identify out of range data and errors and consult with public library staff about their odd responses (April – July)

June Group 1 Revise annual report form to collect new and existing statistics for PLS, as well as statistics used by your state library (April – June) Group 2

July Group 1 Send annual report forms on paper or in electronic format to every public library (or maybe August) Group 2 Submit library data from previous year to AIR by early submission date of July 15, 2016, for points toward the Keppel Award. Final deadline of July 29, 2016.

August Group 1Group 2 Respond to edit follow-up sent by AIR concerning questionable data submitted for your state Group 3 Aug. 12, Keppel deadline Aug. 19, final deadline

September Group 1 Submit proposals for new or revised data elements to IMLS for posting on PLS Wiki Group 2 Submit proposals for new or revised data elements to IMLS for posting on PLS Wiki

October Group 1 All annual reports should be returned to SDC by now (or November) Group 2 Publish public library statistics for your state on paper or electronically (varies by state)

November Group 1 Ride herd on stragglers to get the final few reports. Preliminary data checking. Group 2 Revise annual report form to collect new and existing statistics for PLS, as well as statistics used by your state library

December Group 1 Receive PLS Web Portal User’s Guide. Review materials for SDC annual conference and discuss decision items with state librarian as needed. Attend the SDC annual meeting. Group 2 Receive PLS Web Portal User’s Guide. Review materials for SDC annual conference and discuss decision items with state librarian as needed. Attend the SDC annual meeting.

A Place to Start Get to know the data element definitions. The PLS Web Portal User’s Guide knows much. Take a look at the last few surveys to make sure they include the newest data elements, and meet your state needs. Talk with your State Librarian. If your state uses a vendor to collect the data, you’ll need to know their deadlines and what data you need to provide. Contact public library staff to ask about their needs. Experienced staff may be able to answer some of your questions.

You Get to Journey with Friends State Librarian SDC Mentor Neighboring state data coordinators Other state data coordinators IMLS Research Division AIR Support