Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS)

As part of its responsibility under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 78, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners administers the Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS). Each fiscal year, public libraries are required to submit a completed ARIS in order to receive State Aid to Public Libraries and to meet the Minimum Standards of Public Library Service.

All public libraries must submit the ARIS data online through the LibPAS data management system. LibPAS also allows librarians to run customized library data reports.

Information provided by public libraries on the survey provides data that measures quality and effectiveness of library service across Massachusetts. This information is summarized by the agency to support planning, evaluation, and goals for library services in communities across Massachusetts.

Certain survey information is also submitted to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for analysis at the national level, and as part of an agreement for the MBLC to administer certain Federal grant funding.

For more information, please contact Dianne Carty at x222