[Publib] Children's material circ

[Susan Vittitow]

IMLS has a very good public library comparison tool at
http://harvester.census.gov/imls/compare/Index.asp 

Where you can find the children's circ as a percent of total circ, among other things. You can pick and choose what variables you want to select for to get similar libraries. I narrowed it to libraries within 1% of the Kelley Library's legal service area, and came up with 28 libraries. The comparison group average was 33.1% and median was 33.6%. State average for New Hampshire is 40.8% and median is 40.1%. National average was 35.6% and median was 34.7%. 

The IMLS tool doesn't address demographic issues, such as how many residents of the legal service area are under/over the age of 18. That might be an issue if you have an unusually older or younger population. 





Susan Vittitow, Statistics Librarian
Library Development Office
Wyoming State Library
516 S. Greeley Hwy,
Cheyenne WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-5915
Fax: 307/777-6289
svitti at state.wy.us


>>> "Alison Baker" <abaker at salem.lib.nh.us> 11/3/2008 1:16 PM >>>
I am analyzing our circulation, looking to create some goals for the new
year and beyond.  I was wondering if anyone would share what % of total
circulation are children's materials at your library.

Thanks!

I apologize for any cross posting.

Alison Baker

Director, Kelley Library

Salem, NH 03079

603-898-7064