Reference librarians are constantly balancing their reference duties against other duties, for example, collection development and departmental liaison. The author works as a reference librarian at Texas A&M University-Commerce Libraries in Commerce, Texas. The university has approximately 11,000 students, a large number of whom are…

In this explorative study, we first investigate current use of public library statistics in public library management to identify a governing framework and then carefully suggest an alternative framework with income as a goal for sustainability. The meaning of income in terms of management is also discussed. Within this framework, we conduct a…

The intent of this paper is to explore the potential of utilizing interlibrary loan (ILL) data relating to lending denials to improve ILL services while highlighting institutional policies that have a negative impact on lending fulfillment rates. Reasons for denial as well as the types of requests being denied are reviewed. In addition, the author…

This document reports request for a total of $271,246,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for Fiscal Year 2008. Funds are designed to assist the Institute in expanding its leadership role in creating an informed and educated citizenry, and transmitting the values of American democracy. In recent years the Institute has…

Statistics are basic to the legislative process and must be available in a form quickly and easily perceived to support library legislation. There should be a sound statistical base, fleshed out with practical examples, to impress legislators and lay persons. Communication of statistical data to decision makers requires a sound public information…

Work sampling is an effective device for testing efficiency in the use of library materials and personnel. An administrator can determine whether circulation or reference librarians are effectively using their time and whether the work flow should be reorganized. Key operations of a sampling should include definition of a problem, identification…

This annual report is the first to be written since the middle 1960's. In order to provide a sense of progress, the problems, and the trends which have occurred during the intervening years, this report is organized around a series of major library concerns including: (1) collections; (2) physical facilities; (3) internal organizational…

This fact book, compiled to fill the need of practicing librarians and researchers for recent data on public libraries, contains statistics concerning or relevant to the U.S. public library system. Data on all aspects of American public libraries are summarized from such sources as annual reports, journal articles, surveys, books, doctoral theses,…

The prefatory section of the Library of Congress (LC) annual report lists library officers, library committees, consultants, and an organizational chart. The body of the report begins with a narrative overview of recent LC activities in such areas as organizational changes, copyright law, Bicentennial Program, publications, and projects. Separate…

A survey of 301 Illinois special libraries was conducted in 1982 to determine the number and type of statistics collected by these libraries and the ways in which these data are used. The mean number of statistics collected was reported as 10, including both technical and public service measures. Measures kept regularly by at least 50% of the…

A 1969 survey of 50 leading American and Canadian university libraries collected data in the following categories: resources, personnel, finances, space, public services, administration, and professional school libraries. This summary report provides extensive tabular data in five broad categories: (1) summary tables; (2) institutional rank; (3)…

Discusses the collection by library managers of demand and use data from their own libraries on a regular basis as a means of answering management questions pertaining to the "cost" of information, staff productivity, and levels of service. Examples of statistical records and recommendations for collecting data are presented. (Author/JL)

The quality and success of library services to users at the City of Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada, were investigated through a series of questionnaires, statistical data analyses, and comparisons with past use studies of this and other public libraries. The study utilized the operational methodology outlined by Altman in…

This document contains statistics and input-output measures for Colorado school libraries and media centers. High schools, middle/junior high schools, and elementary schools are each subdivided into sections by population. Each section includes the school identification (address, RLSS code), respondent identification, hours of the library media…

The Illinois project entitled Measurement and Evaluation of Public Library Services is being conducted by the Library Research Center (LRC) at the University of Illinois. The long range goal of the project is to make available meaningful information for the evaluation and improvement of local public libraries. Two immediate objectives are to test…