USA Libraries
Overview
The USA Public Libraries project enhances public library data in OpenStreetMap (OSM) by refining tags, improving metadata, and transitioning libraries from points to polygons.
Libraries are essential community hubs, and this effort ensures their accurate and comprehensive representation in OSM.
Objectives
1. Transition library points to polygons where they correspond to specific building footprints.
2. Standardize tagging for libraries, ensuring consistent and comprehensive metadata. (see operator:type documentation below)
3. Document and maintain an updated database of library attributes, such as names, operators, addresses, and hours.
4. Promote collaboration through MapRoulette challenges and other community mapping events.
Guidelines
Mapping guidelines in the form of a quick-start guide and full schema are being developed on an ongoing basis.
Draft Pages
Draft pages, which function as collaborative pre-release workspaces for upcoming versions, are always available at:
Mapping Guidelines
1. Determine the Geometry:
- Leave as node if the exact building footprint is unknown, and add a fixme request for locals to address.
- Use polygon for libraries housed in specific buildings.
2. Transfer All Tags:
Move tags from points to polygons where applicable by:
- Select BOTH the point and the building using SHIFT + Click
- Press SHIFT+C to merge the node into the area with all tags.
3. Validate Data:
- Ensure the address and phone number tags are formatted correctly
Helpful Overpass Queries For Validation:
Find all libraries in a state (example: Virginia)
[out:json][timeout:100];
{{geocodeArea:US-VA}}->.searchArea;
nwr["amenity"="library"](area.searchArea);
out geom;
XML version for JOSM:
[out:xml][timeout:100];
{{geocodeArea:US-VA}}->.searchArea;
nwr["amenity"="library"](area.searchArea);
(._;>;); out meta;
For non-geocoded areas (example: Fairfax County)
[out:json][timeout:100];
area["name"="Fairfax County"]["boundary"="administrative"]["admin_level"="6"]->.searchArea;
nwr["amenity"="library"](area.searchArea);
out geom;
States List - Libraries
Phase 1 (Counts and Estimated Completion Rates)
The project is being implemented state-by-state in phases. Below is a list of all states, along with their estimated completion status and the number of points and polygons after the first validation phase:
| State | Abbreviation | Points (Count) | Polygons (Count) | Total (Points & Polygons) | IMLS Data Library Count | OSM Library Est. Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | AL | 23 | 311 | 334 | 307 | 100% |
| Alaska | AK | 92 | ||||
| Arizona | AZ | 54 | 152 | 206 | 231 | 89.2% |
| Arkansas | AR | 57 | 79 | 136 | 230 | 59.1% |
| California | CA | 771 | 895 | 1666 | 1235 | 100% |
| Colorado | CO | 89 | 177 | 266 | 280 | 95.0% |
| Connecticut | CT | 118 | 234 | 352 | 239 | 100% |
| Delaware | DE | 8 | 30 | 38 | 35 | 100% |
| Florida | FL | 238 | 522 | 760 | 556 | 100% |
| Georgia | GA | 1 | 460 | 461 | 408 | 100% |
| Hawaii | HI | 20 | 46 | 66 | 52 | 100% |
| Idaho | ID | 27 | 66 | 93 | 163 | 57.1% |
| Illinois | IL | 96 | 775 | 871 | 792 | 100% |
| Indiana | IN | 94 | 231 | 325 | 453 | 71.7% |
| Iowa | IA | 468 | 153 | 621 | 572 | 100% |
| Kansas | KS | 115 | 128 | 243 | 380 | 63.9% |
| Kentucky | KY | 0 | 239 | 239 | 267 | 89.5% |
| Louisiana | LA | 76 | 112 | 188 | 361 | 52.1% |
| Maine | ME | 53 | 212 | 265 | 261 | 100% |
| Maryland | MD | 62 | 197 | 259 | 211 | 100% |
| Massachusetts | MA | 615 | 353 | 968 | 464 | 100% |
| Michigan | MI | 209 | 409 | 618 | 660 | 93.6% |
| Minnesota | MN | 252 | 213 | 465 | 365 | 100% |
| Mississippi | MS | 51 | 73 | 124 | 233 | 53.2% |
| Missouri | MO | 390 | ||||
| Montana | MT | 84 | 51 | 135 | 121 | 100% |
| Nebraska | NE | 282 | 65 | 347 | 261 | 100% |
| Nevada | NV | 27 | 55 | 82 | 87 | 94.3% |
| New Hampshire | NH | 88 | 144 | 232 | 229 | 100% |
| New Jersey | NJ | 170 | 341 | 511 | 450 | 100% |
| New Mexico | NM | 111 | 91 | 202 | 126 | 100% |
| New York | NY | 586 | 677 | 1263 | 1087 | 100% |
| North Carolina | NC | 28 | 448 | 476 | 416 | 100% |
| North Dakota | ND | 99 | ||||
| Ohio | OH | 232 | 508 | 740 | 776 | 95.4% |
| Oklahoma | OK | 22 | 107 | 129 | 220 | 58.6 |
| Oregon | OR | 69 | 149 | 218 | 220 | 99.1% |
| Pennsylvania | PA | 352 | 432 | 784 | 635 | 100% |
| Rhode Island | RI | 35 | 83 | 118 | 74 | 100% |
| South Carolina | SC | 3 | 249 | 252 | 232 | 100% |
| South Dakota | SD | 142 | ||||
| Tennessee | TN | 17 | 339 | 356 | 290 | 100% |
| Texas | TX | 278 | 549 | 827 | 886 | 93.3% |
| Utah | UT | 45 | 90 | 135 | 136 | 99.3% |
| Vermont | VT | 81 | 152 | 233 | 191 | 100% |
| Virginia | VA | 74 | 380 | 454 | 386 | 100% |
| Washington | WA | 115 | 275 | 390 | 359 | 100% |
| West Virginia | WV | 4 | 184 | 188 | 178 | 100% |
| Wisconsin | WI | 191 | 246 | 437 | 465 | 94.0% |
| Wyoming | WY | 16 | 33 | 49 | 77 | 63.6% |
- Data Counts are from June 8, 2025
Resources
Challenges
Participate in ongoing challenges to improve library data:
- Map library points and convert them to polygons.
- Verify and enrich metadata, such as operating hours and contact information.
Helpful Tips
- Use reliable imagery sources like Bing or Mapillary for validation.
- Verify hours and contact information directly from library websites or by contacting them.
- Avoid using Google Maps as a source, as it violates OSM's copyright policies.
Contact
For questions or contributions, reach out to the project lead: AriannaL via OSM or OSM Wiki.
See Also
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the OSM community for their support and contributions to this project and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for their library data. For more information, visit [IMLS Library Data Files](https://www.imls.gov/research-evaluation/data-collection/museum-data-files).