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HAPLR uses the IMLS service area populations for
each library, not the unduplicated population.
The IMLS has no choice but to ask states to make some
rather arbitrary assignments of population. The population served often
extends beyond the population of the community that established it and
provides its initial support. Library service territories, when added
together in some states, exceed the total population. Hence, the IMLS reports both service area populations as
reported by the state and unduplicated service populations which arbitrarily
re-assign population.
Depending on the demographic makeup of the state,
there will be inconsistencies in population assignment. Consolidated
county and regional library systems are more prevalent in some states
and regions than in others, skewing some population data.
Nearly half of the HAPLR Index is sensitive to
population as reported in the data, so this fact should be
considered when interpreting the results.
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