The Montana State Library is launching Library Count Week, a statewide initiative designed to help public libraries collect meaningful data about how their communities use library services while also simplifying portions of the annual Public Libraries Survey (PLS).

During Count Week, participating libraries will collect information on:

• Library visits
• Wi-Fi sessions
• Public computer use
• Reference questions
• Community resource referrals
• Patron feedback about the value they receive from their library

The quantitative data collected during the week can be used to calculate estimates for corresponding sections of the PLS. Data will be entered at the branch level using Counting Opinions and then summarized for each library system.

In addition to the numbers, patrons will be invited to complete a brief survey and share stories about how their library has made a difference in their lives. These stories will help provide valuable context to the data and demonstrate the impact Montana libraries have in their communities.

Did you miss the August 26 Count Week training or want to review the information with your staff?

The Library Count Week Staff Training recording is now available.

The training covers what libraries need to know to prepare for Count Week, what information to collect, how the data will be reported, and resources available to support your library.

Watch the Library Count Week Staff Training – Recorded Webinar

We have created a variety of resources that libraries can use to collect patron feedback, promote Count Week, and encourage community participation.

Please share the training recording and Count Week resources with your staff and begin preparing your library for September 20-26.

A second Count Week will take place in March 2027, followed by a Storytelling with Data Workshop in April 2027, led by Marc Moss. The workshop will focus on using Count Week data and patron stories to effectively communicate library impact to stakeholders, decision-makers, and the community.

Libraries count. Communities benefit.

Thank you for helping us tell the story of Montana libraries through meaningful numbers and authentic patron experiences.