Describes sources of data about the community with emphasis on the products of the Census Bureau. (PF)

Libraries need solid information upon which to base collection development decisions. Specific evaluative methods for determining scope, access, and usefullness are described. Approaches used for data collection include analysis of interlibrary loan requests, comparison with major bibliographies, and analysis of accessibility through available…

Through utilization of effective sampling procedures, libraries may obtain substantial savings in terms of data collection costs. (Author)

A discussion of the interrelated aspects of library performance measurement and what data collection means to library planning. Methodologies considered are cost analysis, quantitative vs qualitative measurement, community analysis, and citizen attitudes and opinions. (JAB)

Questions are raised concerning the statistical methodology employed in the NILN. The author states that "better and more appropriate statistical methodology should be incorporated in future studies on library needs" and two alternatives are suggested. (JPF)

Description of the process of developing a five-year strategic planning document for the Indiana State University Libraries covers data gathering from a variety of printed sources, staff reports, and interviews with faculty; conceptualizing document content; writing; and editing. A questionnaire for teaching faculty is appended. (10 references)…

Libraries devote serious resources to user-education programs and need to measure their effectiveness with hard data. This guide was designed to simplify the evaluation planning process and the making of evaluation instruments. The material was developed from hundreds of survey instruments used by librarians around the country. The handbook…

Several questions are raised concerning how data is collected and interpreted to generate the National Inventory of Library Needs. The author urges NCLIS to confront some basic issues which have been raised by the document, including data collection techniques and the professional backgrounds of the individuals involved in the study. (JPF)

Application of a generalized data base management system enabled the new Physics-Mathematics-Astronomy Library to couple the immediate needs of moving and integrating two libraries with long-term capabilities. (Author)

Based on the concept that library use measurement should have as its basic starting point the individual patron, a method of data collection and analysis has been developed that explores individual patterns of borrowing over time. The method accounts for the number of visits on which borrowing takes place, number of items borrowed per visit, and…

Developed on the premise that all types of libraries have a common set of functions, purposes, and resources which outweigh their differences in setting, size, and organizational goals, this preliminary edition is intended to (1) provide an informed basis for library management and planning, (2) facilitate communications among libraries, and (3)…

One of a series on library services to disadvantaged adults, this guide gives a three step plan for assessing community information needs. Seven methods of information gathering are described, and the important factors to be considered in interpreting the information are outlined. A pre-planning information form, a sample questionnaire for agency…

Assesses the value of the Government Printing Office's 1983 "Biennial Survey" as a tool to support depository library planning and decision making. The survey data are evaluated in terms of reliability, validity, and utility, and recommendations are offered for improving the design, administration, and analysis of the survey. (CLB)

Attended by representatives of American Library Association (ALA) divisions and committees, other national library associations, state library agencies, library schools, and all types of libraries, this conference was held to discuss: (1) the program of the National Center for Educational Statistics (USOE) as it pertains to libraries; (2) the…

This kit on planning systems updates a 1974 Management Studies Office Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit in which developments in planning activities among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) were reviewed. At the time of the original study, in 1972, planning techniques and systems were a subject of much interest because rising…