RAILS Online Roundtable: Library Demographics

Please join us virtually as we learn about library demographics with RAILS Data Analyst intern, Yolanda Everson. 

Anatomy of a Public Library – IPLAR Data & Service Area Demographics
Sourcing data from the 2025 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR) and the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the Anatomy of a Public Library is a Tableau dashboard providing interactive library profiles for all RAILS member public libraries.
 
Featuring data visualizations for library core statistics and service population demographics, these profiles provide a snapshot of public libraries in comparison to their peers. Library professionals can consult the profiles to interpret their own circulation and expenditure trends, as well as better understand the cultural diversity of their local community. For those who wish to engage with the data more deeply, they can use the Peer Libraries section of the dashboard to identify libraries with similar service populations. All of this information can help guide decisions concerning strategic planning, advocacy for community-based multicultural programming and collection development, and to encourage recognition of and collaboration with peer libraries.

All library staff from any type of library are invited. 

RAILS Accessibility Statement
We strive to make events accessible to all. If you have a specific accessibility request or need accommodations, please contact us at access@railslibraries.org at least two weeks before the event.