public library statistics
TRANSCRIPT
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Public Library Statistics
Collecting, reporting, and using stats in New Hampshire
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Why collect statistics?
Because it's the law: • "All public libraries in NH must (see
RSA 202-A:12) make an annual report to the State Library." *
• Other states have similar laws.
*http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/lds/public_library_stats_instructions.htm
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Okay, but why else?
Often, eligibility for library funding is linked to participation in State Library Statistics Surveys:
• "Your library is ineligible for a grant for 2009 if: it failed to complete and return the Public Library Statistics Report for 2008. . ."*
• Other states have similar restrictions. * "Kids, Books and the Arts 2009 Grant Application," available at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/documents/KBA09librarygrantapplication.pdf
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Collecting stats and filling out the report is time-consuming.
But it is important to be accurate.
• "It is not only important to you, but also to someone else in another library who may someday use your library's data" (p. 91-92).*
* Smith, M. (1996). Collecting and using public library statistics: a how-to-do-it manual for librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman.
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What happens to stats I send to the State Library, anyway?
Deering Public Library, Deering, NHNH State Library, Concord, NH
IMLS (on 9th floor), Washington, DC
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It’s a little hard to get excited about statistics. Maybe so, but think of all the things you can do with the statistics you and others collect . . .
Bibliostat Collect online survey
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FUN with library statistics!
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WOW your town's Budget Committee!
When you need to convince elected officials of the benefit of continued or increased funding, nothing speaks in this "age of accountability" like numbers.
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/stackup.htm
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SHOW impact of funding on library use!
Deiters, P. (2007). What a difference a new building makes. Illinois Library Association Reporter, 25(1), 17. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from the WilsonWeb database.
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COMPARE your library with peers!
Chart created using the Compare Libraries Tool, available at http://harvester.census.gov/imls/compare/index.asp
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SEE trends over time!
Data for FY1992-FY2005 IMLS PUSUM: State Summary/State Characteristics Longitudinal Data File. Additional data for 2006 from NHPLAR 2006 (only for 2006 Capital Expenditures) available at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/lds/2006Statistics.htm and from Public Library (Public Use) Data Files available at http://harvester.census.gov/imls/data/pls/index.asp
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PLAN programs and services!
“Time to promote TumbleBooks again!”
“Better stock up on children’s fiction!”
“Busier than ever--time to think about next year’s budget!”
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ADD your idea here!
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Public Library StatisticsAn internship project, spring 2009
Mary Cronin, URI GSLIS studentDr. Gale Eaton, LSC 595 course instructorSupervisor: Thomas Ladd, New Hampshire State Library, State Data Coordinator
Thanks to Tom Ladd, for the opportunity to learn to appreciate statistics; Bobbi Slossar, New Hampshire State Library, for website suggestions and loan of laptop;and Susan Weaver, Harrisville Public Library,Lori Fisher, Baker Free Library,Andrea Masters, North Conway Public Library,for sharing statistics stories and forms