Complete RAILS School Library Census

Submitted by Elizabeth Smith on

The deadline to complete the census is December 31st, 2025.

RAILS announced on October 29, 2025 that their School Library Census for 2025-2026 has begun. This census will collect data from school libraries, both public and private, to allow RAILS to better support school libraries. Visit the School Library Census site from RAILS for links to instructions and the forms to be completed.

The census does ask for information about your collection and PrairieCat can assist you by supplying the needed statistics! Below is the portion of the census with information on how to collect the data you need.

If you have other questions about how to complete the census (that are not PrairieCat-specific), please contact RAILS Data Analyst Janette Derucki.

School Library Collection

Does your library have an automated catalog? Yes
What automated catalog platform or integrated library system do you use?

m. Sierra

 

IF your library also uses another vendor’s ILS for circulation (for example, Follett), list this also. The form may not allow multiple answers, in that case choose “Other” and list both in the box provided. 
Is your library’s collection accessible to students outside the building?  Yes or No
Is your library’s collection accessible and viewable by the public? Yes or No
Does your library conduct an annual inventory? Yes or No

Average age of your library’s collection (year)

 

RAILS wants the average year of publication of materials in your collection.

Submit a help desk ticket with PrairieCat to receive this data.
Collection Details: Enter the number for each category; if none, enter “0”

 

For physical collection data, submit a help desk ticket with PrairieCat to receive this data.

 

For digital collection data, you will need to check the dashboards of your ematerials vendors.

 

Print Books

  

Print Serial Subscriptions

  

eBooks

  

Audio Materials (physical)

  

Audio Materials (digital)

  

Video Materials (physical)

  

Video Materials (digital)

  

Realia

  

Equipment