For the last decade or more, circulation numbers of physical materials have declined in academic libraries across the United States. In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered society and daily life, not to mention library functions. In particular, fears of contagion via physical surfaces and transmission by contact led many…

In summer 2008, a small group of Santa Clara University librarians were charged with exploring ways of making online library research guides more user friendly and interactive. In order to know how to enhance our guides, we first asked the question, "What makes a research guide useful?" What follows is a detailed process of discovery.…

In answering the question "What is the next trend in usage statistics in libraries?" an eclectic group of respondents has presented an assortment of possibilities, suggestions, complaints and, of course, questions of their own. Undoubtedly, usage statistics collection, interpretation, and application are areas of growth and increasing complexity…

Usage statistics are an important metric for making decisions on serials. Although the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries have been collecting usage statistics, the statistics had not frequently been used to make decisions and had not been included in collection development policy. After undergoing a collection assessment, the…

Public libraries deliver many benefits to their patrons, but understanding these benefits in terms of dollars-and-cents is difficult. In an effort to quantify the return on investment to taxpayers for monies invested in public libraries, the Library Research Service (LRS) initiated the study, "Public Libraries -- A Wise Investment: A Return…

Summarizes a study designed to examine recent trends in the use of statistics, both descriptive and inferential, in the library literature. (FM)

A point of departure for the collection and use of statistical information about a library's internal operation is presented. Several techniques for manipulating numerical data are suggested to achieve a better understanding of actual operations within the administrative unit being studied. (Author)

The acquisitions department of the University of Nebraska at Omaha library conducted a quantitative evaluation of the library's book collection in relation to the course offerings of the university. (Author/LS)

A study of 1,434 interlibrary loan requests of the California State University, Fullerton, library is described. An analysis of book and periodical requests was made. (Author/LS)

The study, prepared for the Learning Resources Branch (LRB) of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), includes a brief history of library statistical programs of the Office of Education and the National NCES, 1870-1978; the uses of library statistics by the Office of Libraries and Learning Resources (OLLR) of the Office of Education…

This research report presents the results of a survey of public libraries that serve areas where populations are 25,000 or fewer individuals. The long range goal of the study was to gather data that would help to initially describe some of the circumstances in which and because of which rural information services exist and endure. Questionnaires…

Designed for persons with no prior knowledge of statistics, this continuing education course syllabus presents basic information on methods of data collection and analysis in libraries. It is noted that emphasis is placed on concepts rather than mathematical formulas and on reasons for using particular techniques. Topics covered include problem…

This document reports the design, methodology, and results of a study that examined the usefulness of Brigham Young University's (BYU) library school research courses. A questionnaire requesting opinions about the courses and how the skills learned in these courses were used on the job and in professional activities was mailed to a random sample…

This submission presents sixteen issues of Fast Facts from the Library Research Service covering topics regarding academic, public, school and special libraries in Colorado, the Mountain West and Southwest Regions. The following are Fast Facts titles from 2006 (1) Colorado Public Library Performance Rankings (2004 Data); (2) How Librarians Help…

A design for a nationwide system of library statistics is provided along with specific recommendations for its structure and development. The proposed system depends upon a much more active role of the states and upon the input of research, interaction of advisory groups, inservice training, and relatively small amounts of money at strategic…