Some Pennsylvania libraries may receive an email request from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete a survey on library facility conditions. GAO will be reaching out to a sample of libraries and museums, and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries encourages you to participate if you receive the survey.

GAO has been mandated by Congress to independently review the facility repair needs of libraries and museums. Results will appear in a report made available to Congress and to the public. The GAO survey will question libraries and museums on topics such as:

• Your building repair needs and challenges to making repairs,
• How your building’s current condition, storage, and size meet your needs, and
• Funding sources used in undertaking facility repair, and other topics.

GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that conducts research at the request of Congress. The purpose of this study is to make national estimates on these topics; it is not an audit of your institution. Your answers will be combined with others and presented in summary form in the report. You may request that GAO provide you a copy of the report as part of your participation in the survey.

Your participation will provide important first-hand information to help inform Congress ahead of the reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

If you have any questions or concerns about the survey or the study in general, please email Library_MuseumSurvey@gao.gov or contact Tania Uruchima at (202) 512-5112 or Jennifer Kim at (213) 830-1115.

The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff and volunteer leadership at public, school, academic, and special libraries.

The Compendium is BLD’s primary communication channel. If you don’t already subscribe, please do so to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information.