Files of the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) containing budgets (2006-2010), grant purposals (2006), surveys (2006-2008), contracts, correspondence, notes, and reports (2006-2012).

PLFTAS was a multi-year project that assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability. The project received a grant from the the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Office for Research concentrates on the research needs of the library profession, cooperates with other units of the ALA and works with bodies active in library research (1).  It is charged to carry out three functions: 1) to collect, analyze and interpret data on the ALA and users of its products and services as a basis for organizational decision-making; 2) to collect and promote the collection of statistics on libraries and librarians so that the ALA and other organizations have pertinent and consistent data available to them; and 3) to monitor ongoing research related to libraries and disseminate information about such studies to the profession (2).  In doing so the Office for Research provides advice regarding research and statistics to the Executive Board, Council, and other units of the ALA requesting such advice (3).  The Office's first director was appointed in 1978, and since that time the Office for Research has developed research programs and monitored existing research activities (4).  When assisting units of ALA, the Office prepares proposals, gathers statistical data, and implements survey projects.  The ALA Committee on Research advises the Office for Research on matters of policy and priorities, and presents recommendations on research programs (5).  The Office for Research is under the Deputy Executive Director (6).

Sub-Groups:

2-Director

3-Publications

5-Library Research Clearinghouse