IMLS details congressionally mandated infrastructure study and names 10 library sites for assessment

IMLS staff described the scope and early methods for a congressionally mandated study of the infrastructure needs of public libraries and museums across the United States, emphasizing a focus on rural, underserved and disaster‑prone communities.

Emily Plumb said the study is 16–18 months long and uses mixed methods—secondary data reviews, administrative data analysis and primary research including interviews and facility site assessments conducted by a contractor (FedRiders). IMLS staff said they are coordinating their work with the Government Accountability Office’s similar study to avoid duplication and to produce complementary findings.

Plumb and colleagues listed 10 library locations where engineers will conduct on‑site facility condition assessments to inform case studies and aggregate analyses. The states named for those on‑site assessments included Missouri, Louisiana, North Carolina, Colorado, Alaska, Maryland, Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kentucky and New Jersey. Presenters said the contractor selected sites to maximize governance diversity, urbanicity and alignment with the congressional focus on underserved/disaster‑prone/rural areas.

When asked how the research will be used, Matt Birnbaum said Congress is the principal client for the study but that IMLS plans to make the report and data accessible for other audiences, including practitioners, and will coordinate release with GAO. He said IMLS is already discussing dissemination opportunities with the White House and Congress and expects follow‑up research demand.

IMLS flagged the timeline that some results will begin to appear the following spring and said staff will offer additional forums (ALA meeting, office hours) to present findings and gather practitioner input.