This article serves as a primer for assessment and evaluation design by describing the range of methods commonly employed in library settings. Quantitative methods, such as counting and benchmarking measures, are useful for investigating the internal operations of an access services department in order to identify workflow inefficiencies or…

In response to a charge from the library administration, the Circulation Committee of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University designed and implemented a thorough assessment of circulation policies. Using multiple assessment methods including surveys, focus groups, and statistical analysis, the committee determined that the…

This article describes the process and role frontline access and public service staff play in needs assessment and evaluation of user services, specifically in understanding the voice of the customer. Information includes how the University of Arizona Libraries have incorporated daily data collection into the strategic planning process, resources…

The 2012 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 48th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

The 2011 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 47th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

Discusses use of quantitative measurement in statistical studies conducted by libraries, noting unusable measurements and the importance of adapting research methodology to particular library needs. Studies involving the allocation of library funds to academic departments, measurement of library performance, and circulation statistics are noted.…

A complex tool, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the relative efficiency of major academic research libraries that are members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Results of a two-year base line study using traditional measures taken from 1995-96 ARL statistics are reported. (AEF)

Database usage from a random sample of academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada reveals patterns of use in selected types of libraries. Nine tables present usage statistics. Factors that influence database use are briefly discussed. (AEF)

Presents some data on the relative significance of books, periodicals, and teaching staff, in supporting postgraduate work in the humanities and social sciences in Nigeria. (Author/VT)

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the relationship between librarians' status (i.e., librarians having faculty status or librarians lacking such status) and the organizational structure of the college library. The analysis was conducted within the conceptual framework of two organizational models: the bureaucratic and the…

The Library Catalog Cost Model described in this report was developed to assist each of the 72 individual libraries participating in the project to compare the costs of alternative future forms of the catalog, emphasizing the costs of implementing AACR 2 (Anglo American Cataloging Rules 2). Inputs characterizing their costs and modes of operation…

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent to which deans holding office in 1983 in American Library Association (ALA) accredited graduate library education programs fulfilled the expectations of academia and the ALA "Standards'" requirement with respect to sustained productive scholarship and evidence of aptitude for research through…

Discusses the lack of quantitative standards in the ARL-ACRL Standards for University Libraries and demonstrates the use of statistical techniques to analyze data and derive minimal criteria which, while they describe quantitative relationships among libraries, provide no indication of quality of services. Sixteen references are cited. (RAA)

Description of common errors found in the statistical methodologies of research carried out by librarians, focuses on sampling and generalizability. The discussion covers the need to either adapt library research to the statistical abilities of librarians or to educate librarians in the proper use of statistics. (15 references) (CLB)

This study was undertaken to generate and analyze survey data for evaluating time management practices among directors of large academic libraries. Questionnaires were mailed to 194 library directors and the 159 survey respondents (82%) provided information about their experience and other characteristics; how they allocate their time; to what…