Abstract: Selecting the index to reflect the development level of public libraries, this paper analyses the development level of public libraries including 31 provinces and municipalities in China by using the factor analysis method. The analysis result shows that？the development level of？public libraries？in each area？is restricted by？the develop- ment level of local economies,？and is influenced by？its？size. With the development of information technology, public libraries should？improve the？management and service level？by using new technology.

Key words: public library; development level; factor analysis