NEWS RELEASE

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that it will be working with Counting Opinions as its new data collection vendor. The extensive public library data collected by the MBLC is key to strategic decision making and identifying library and patron needs. Along with data from other states, Massachusetts public library data is also shared with the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for analysis as part of the national Public Libraries Survey.

"Accurate, accessible data is vital to planning and evaluating," said Cate Merlin, Head of State Programs at the MBLC. "The data we collect not only helps to determine national and state library initiatives, it is also used by local libraries to determine services and budgets."

The MBLC began the process of selecting a new vendor after its former vendor Baker & Taylor announced in October 2025 that it would cease operating. Counting Opinions has been serving the library community since 2004. It provides a user-friendly collection platform with the capability to easily create reports. MBLC staff are working with Counting Opinions to ensure compatibility with the MBLC's Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS) and Financial Report as well as the national Public Libraries Survey.

"We're pleased to be working with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to support statewide data collection and reporting. Reliable, standardized data is essential for planning, funding, and accountability, and we're proud to support the MBLC and Massachusetts libraries in this important work," said Lindsay Thompson, Director of Customer Service, Counting Opinions.

All data that was previously collected by Baker & Taylor has been saved by the MBLC staff. Data from the past eight years will be uploaded into the new system beginning with 2025 data which will be available when the system goes live in July. Historic data will be added over the summer.

MBLC staff will begin testing in April and anticipate training for library staff to begin in late May. This will allow for the same data collection calendar, starting with the ARIS survey opening on July 1, 2026. Training will be required for all library staff responsible for data submission.

The MBLC administers the ARIS and Financial Report in compliance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 78. Each fiscal year, public libraries are required to submit this data in order to receive State Aid to Public Libraries funding and to meet the Minimum Standards of Public Library Service.