[Publib] In-House Count in response to Susan Pieper

[Michael Golrick]

Hi-

 

I missed the original post in my pre-Midwinter rush.

 

As the person responsible for collecting the stats from libraries in
Louisiana, and then sending them to the Feds, I would suggest that you
also consult with your state library and whoever there is doing the
stats (one of my titles is "State Data Coordinator").

 

At least here, there is a document with the statistical survey which
describes what should be counted, and how.

 

Michael

 

Michael A. Golrick

Public Library Consultant

State Library of Louisiana

mgolrick at slol.lib.la.us

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Dickman, Corinne
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 12:11 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] In-House Count in response to Susan Pieper

 

Answers below, two attachments.

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Susan Pieper
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 2:11 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] In-House Count

 

Hello all:

I have researched the PUBLIB archives and have found good info on this
topic. However, I have a few issues I'd like to get your input on. We
are planning a week-long output measures count in February. I found out
that not all our branches are counting the same things for in-house the
same way. Please advise on the following:

Story times: We count attendance (child and adult); Do you count the
book read times the number in attendance, or just once?  Washoe County
Library System counts the number of children and adults, but we do not
count the books read.

Computer Use: We count how many people use the computer; Do you count
databases or electronic resources available online (even though you do
not have stats?) If so, what do you count? Our reservation system counts
the number of Internet sessions that take place on our computers.  We
count the number of hits on our website and patron online renewals of
their materials checked out.  Our databases do give us a count of the
number of hits on the database; they don't all count the same way but
this is determined by the database/vendor and not something we are able
to control.  We count the type of resource or assistance that staff uses
or gives to answer a patron question or help them, so if a staff person
uses a database, a print resource, the catalog etc. to assist a patron
we count that in a specific column on our stat sheet.  We also count
directional questions and basic information like what hours we are open,
where's the bathroom etc.

Displays: We count when a patron picks up and looks at a book on
display; Do you count the display as a whole, or each item?  We do not
count displays or the items in them.  If a patron checks an item out
from a display then it will be recorded as a checkout.

We had been using hash marks, but now are considering bar-codes on a
single sheet with each item identified -- reference questions;
directional; vertical file; pamphlets; obituaries; books; displays;
magazines; newspapers; etc. Each of my locations would have the same bar
codes and count uniformly.

We have barcodes for items that are not regularly barcoded, like daily
newspapers, ValueLine, etc.  But each barcode is tied to a branch
"ownership" to accurately count usage.  

Is there anything else you would like to suggest? 

Like any statistical gathering activity, there are bound to be lapses,
especially during busy times.  Start your count at least a week before
you want "reportable" statistics to get staff in the habit of counting,
and you're more likely to get accurate results.  At one branch, the
statistics are done every day, and we include an hourly gate count of
people through the door, but only report it during two separate weeks
during the year.

Any tips? Thanks in advance.

Susan

-- 
Susan Pieper, Director
Paulding County Carnegie Library
205 S. Main Street
Paulding, OH 45879
419-399-2032 voice and 419-399-2114 fax
Editor, Rural Library Services Newsletter
www.pauldingcountylibrary.org

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