Library Statistics with Confidence: Facts from Figures with no Fear

Abstract

Libraries collect a lot of statistical and other data about their operations but often a greater part of the information collected is not utilized as effectively as it would be feasible. However, the use of simple basic statistics is often all that is needed to show the value and impact of the library. The methods of reporting and measuring the library services offered to the libraries may be given “top down” instead of balancing the methods with above-mentioned and “bottom up” idea that serves the local needs of the libraries. The libraries need support in the use of statistics and therefore it is necessary to organize training sessions of the use of collected data for them. The aim of this paper is to provoke discussion on the field of library statistics and to encourage the librarians to use the data collected. Further, the aim of this paper is to give an idea of training the libraries to combine data from different sources to refine it in order to take the lid off phenomena possibly not recognized earlier in the library and to use the data in an illustrative way to advocate for the library by showing the evidence of impact.