The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) is conducted annually by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) through the Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data (FSCS). The 1993 fiscal year survey file includes 8,929 public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia identified by state library agencies. A total of 44 data items were collected for each library--33 basic data items and 11 identification items. (The basic data items for multiple-outlet libraries are provided to NCES as aggregated data.) Included are the library's name, address, number of service outlets, number of full-time equivalent paid staff, operating income and expenditures, capital outlay, and total library materials by collection type. Also included are total annual public service hours, library visits, reference transactions, circulation transactions, interlibrary loans, circulation of children's materials, and children's program attendance. The survey also collected 12 data items on each public library outlet and state library agency outlet; 11 identifying items on state library agencies, federations, systems, and cooperatives; and four data items on characteristics of the state data submission. (Author)