Benchmark: Library Metrics and Trends
Benchmark makes data-driven planning and advocacy easy for academic and public libraries. Log in to complete surveys, explore interactive charts, and compare your data with peers.
Academic libraries: Use your IPEDS ID as your user ID to log in.
Contact acrlbenchmark@ala.org with questions.
Public libraries in the US should use their
FSCS Key as their ID.
Contact plabenchmark@ala.org with questions
Using Benchmark is easy!
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Analyze trends in expenditures, staffing, collections, services, and other data. -
Illustrate ongoing activities and usage in a compelling fashion for different audiences. -
Generate key metrics for strategic planning, budget justifications, annual reports, fundraising, and more. -
Contribute your library's data to national surveys to further research and advocacy.
Featured Resources
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Getting Started with Benchmark
Dashboard Resources
ACRL
Learn how Benchmark can provide your institution with data visualizations that facilitate comparisons with customized peer groups, Carnegie classes, and nationwide data. -
Data Dashboards
Dashboard Resources
ACRL
Learn how how to navigate the dashboards, including interpreting the visualizations, navigating dashboard tabs, applying filters, viewing tooltips, and using drill through. -
The State of U.S. Academic Libraries: Findings from the ACRL 2025 Annual Survey
Survey Resources
ACRL
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Benchmark Video Tutorials
Tutorials
PLA
Learn how to make the most of Benchmark's features and peer comparison data for your library in this series of twelve short videos. -
Public Library Use Cases
Interpreting the Data
PLA
Four use cases demonstrating how libraries could use Benchmark in practice (published June 2023). -
NEW: Data Storytelling Toolkit for Libraries: Explore Stories
Tutorials
PLA
How to use the DSTL do-it-yourself guide for turning your library data into compelling stories.
Free access includes:
- View select data visualizations with peer comparisons
- Complete open surveys and see past survey responses
- Manage contact information
- Access data-related resources
Subscribe for access to:
- A robust set of interactive data dashboards with visualizations and filters
- A custom report builder that includes historic metrics
- The ability to create custom peer groups for benchmarking