How Well Do You Know Your Library’s Community?
An LRS tool can help you track down community data and test your knowledge. At Library Research Service (LRS) we …
Library Research Service
The Library Research Service (LRS) is an office of the Colorado State Library. LRS thoughtfully collects, analyzes, and distributes data that is relevant and actionable to Colorado communities and empowers library staff to do the same.
Here you will find some cross-posts from the LRS blog. Visit the LRS website at LRS.org.
Valuing Your Library
How do you begin to put a price tag on a library and its services? While many of us may …
SWIFT 2025 Fast Facts
Check out the inaugural edition of SWIFT Fast Facts by Library Research Service at LRS.org! SWIFT is a service of …
The Latest Cartography for Colorado Library Systems
LRS has combined the boundaries of all Colorado public library systems onto one map using the latest data available…
Leveling Up Our Mapping Tools
Introducing the 2025 PLB Expansion Pack! After two years (it’s been two years already?!) of Public Library Blueprints (PLB) posts, …
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection 2024 Fast Facts
Check out the third edition of the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection Fast Facts report by Library Research Service at LRS.org. The Colorado Historic …
Library Research Service Blog Survey
To kick off 2025, Library Research Service (LRS) wants to hear from you! If you have a minute to spare, …
Stories for Library Spaces
Happy holidays, library world! This time of year when we gather with family and friends, which can be both joyful …
The Ins and Outs of Incorporating External Data
In September, we took a hiatus from The Public Library Blueprints to explore the 2023 Public Library Technology Survey Summary …
Gathering Word Clouds of Language Data
As hubs for diverse communities, our Colorado public libraries are proud to serve people of many different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, …
Public Libraries and Technology: Beyond the Public Library Survey
Discover what library staff are achieving across the nation to grow digital equity!
Welcome to the Tourism Community Library Designation
Read up on the recent changes to the Tourism Community Libraries designation…
A Search Through Local Revenue Sources
Explore the many ways that Colorado public libraries are funded and the factors to consider when working with this data.
Sparking Interest in Summer Reading
Learn how to use sparklines to your advantage while exploring data on summer reading programs across Colorado.
Accessible Survey Design
An accessible survey is key to ensuring the data collected is representative of all the communities a library serves.
Diverging Bar Charts for Connected Collections
As springtime sprouts across Colorado, it’s a fine time to unearth some data on another statewide system that benefits all …
A Variety of Outreach Visualizations
Outreach is a hot topic in the library world, and one that the Library Research Service (LRS) has incorporated into …
Here’s a Hand with Histograms
Hello again, data folks! I’m excited to introduce a type of chart that we haven’t yet touched upon in The Public …
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection 2023 Fast Facts
Check out the second Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection Fast Facts report by Library Research Service at LRS.org! The Colorado Historic …
Tracking Changes Through Time
Happy (belated) new year, library world! This time of year I often have to hesitate a moment before writing the …