Statistics and Performance Measures for Public Library Networked Services - Softcover

American Library Association

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838907962 ISBN 13: 9780838907962

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2000

Synopsis

In the nick of time, here is a book that will help you to measure, track, improve, and allocate funding for one of the library's most vital services - access to online and network-based resources. The first of its kind and written by a team of research experts, this how-to manual will guide you through the process of measuring and assessing the quality of service you are providing to a new breed of technology-savvy library users. Through practical examples and tested methods, Statistics and Performance Measures for Public Library Networked Services will show you how to: Establish a core set of performance measures that will capture and describe patron use of online resources. Collect and organize hard statistics based on the measures you set. Assess the services you are providing and identify potential areas of growth. Understand how your library's services are being used by patrons. Using the reproducible forms, develop a specific picture of your library's network service and usage that can be communicated to staff, community, and new funding streams. Develop financial reports and cost-benefit analysis to support budget increases and reallocate resources. Packed with examples, charts, graphs, worksheets, and a wealth of sample forms, this unique, hands-on guide will benefit all libraries as they work to secure funding for new and changing information technologies.

About this title

About the Author:

John Cario Bertot, Ph.D., is an associate professor and associate director of the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University's School of Information Studies. He has written a number of books and journal articles and was co-principal investigator in a national project to develop a list of core data elements, statistics, and performance measures for public library use of networked services. Charies R. McClure, Ph.D., is the Francis Eppes professor of Information Studies and director of the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University. He is widely published on topics relating to the planning and evaluation of networked information services and served as co-principal investigator on a project funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Service. Joe C. Ryan is research associate at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University and directs Ryan Information Management, which customizes reference resource plans and evaluates networked information resource services for libraries.

Review:

"Each question is discussed in a lucid, reality-based way that can be beneficial to both the experienced researcher and the advanced student. It should be required reading for any research methods course at the master's or doctoral level."

"Have you noticed a change in your library's use statistics? If you're like many libraries, you may have seen stagnation or a drop in your gate count or circulation... Never fear, John Carlo Bertot, Charles R. McClure, and Joe Ryan can help you out."

"The work is well documented with a sizeable list of references and, while it is indexed, the contents is a comprehensive listing of each statistic and performance measure, which this reader felt was more useful."

About this edition

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0838907962
• ISBN 13: 9780838907962
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 103