All 2008 NH data files now available

19 August 2009 – The NHSL has now published all of the data files from the 2008 NH Public Library Annual Reports. The files, all in Excel format, can be found at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/lds/public_library_stats.html.

First of the 2008 Public Library Statistics available – Professional Staff Data

13 August 2009 - The NHSL has begun to publish the data files from the 2008 NH Public Library Annual Reports, submitted by all but three public libraries this year. We thank them for their work which is represented in this data.

Go to the NHSL website (www.nh.gov/nhsl) and in the left rail select “site map”, then select “Statistics” – or follow this direct link = http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/lds/public_library_stats.html

Due to frequent requests for budget planning questions, we have first processed the Professional Staff Data.

Other files will follow shortly.

Tom Ladd, NHSL

New place to find PLS data

From Kim Miller, Management Analyst at IMLS:

IMLS is excited to announce that the Public Libraries (PLS) and State Library Agency (StLA) Survey data is now available on Data.gov.  Data.gov has a catalog of “raw” data available from agencies under the U.S. Federal Executive Branch.  “The purpose of Data.gov is to increase public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.”

The IMLS datasets include PLS FY2004, FY2005, FY2006, and FY2007 and StLA Survey FY2006 and FY2007.  The datasets will be updated annually upon availability.

“Data.gov offers data in three ways: through the “raw” data catalog, using tools and through the geodata catalog.  The “Raw” Data Catalog provides an instant download of machine readable, platform-independent datasets while the Tools Catalog provides hyperlinks to tools that allow you to mine datasets.”   There is search capability by keywords, by single/multiple category, and by single/multiple agency.  The IMLS datasets are listed under the “Social Insurance and Human Services” single/multiple category.

Right now, PLS and StLA datasets appear on Data.gov in only the “Raw” Data Catalog. There is a link to “suggest other datasets” for anyone interested in asking to have PLS or StLA data included in the Tools Catalog.

A tool for using PLS data to compare public libraries can be found on the IMLS website, as can the same raw data files for PLS and StLA that are included on Data.gov. In addition, IMLS publishes reports for each fiscal year that summarize and tabulate survey data.

Use stats Q & A

A good question posted to the NHAIS-L discussion list recently:

We’re interested to know how (or rather, where) everyone counts computer use statistics.  Do you add them in with your total circulation stats or keep them separate?  Thanks for sharing!

Tom’s answer:

While you may, of course, count any way that you wish to in house, for the purpose of the state and federal library statistics report, these must be two separate items.

Circulation means items charged out for use outside the library.

Computer Use is of library computers used in the library.

This was discussed at some length at the national library statistics conference 2 years ago, as some ILS systems were apparently offering a computer sign-up function and then including it in circulation counts. This is specifically not allowed.

For those truly interested, I have included the official IMLS definitions below.

Tom Ladd, NHSL

Total Circulation: The total annual circulation of all library materials of all types, including renewals.  Note: Count all materials in all formats that are charged out for use outside the library. Interlibrary loan transactions included are only items borrowed for users. Do not include items checked out to another library.

Number of Users of Public Internet Computers Per Year: Report the total number of individuals that have used Internet computers in the library during the last year.  If the computer is used for multiple purposes (Internet access, word-processing, OPAC, etc.) and Internet users cannot be isolated, report all usage.  A typical week or other reliable estimate may be used to determine the annual number.  Sign-up forms or Web-log tracking software also may provide a reliable count of users.

Using stats, part two

photo by TheBusyBrain, flickr.com

Tom Ladd offers this sage advice:

“Beware statistics – when you use them to say one thing, your opponent may use the same statistics to “prove” something else!”

And, an example to keep in mind when comparing statistics:

FTE (full time equivalent) staff can be figured in a few ways. Some organizations define full-time as 35 hours a week, others use a different figure. For the NH State Annual Report, FTE figures need to be figured using the federal definition of 40 hours a week since the data you submit to the State Library is also submitted to the IMLS in Washington.

Be sure to make sure the data you are comparing has been calculated the same way!

Using stats, part one

The internship project related to this website also required a poster session, for which the following slideshow was created. It gives a very general overview of public library statistics, more for the novice than for those who have been filling out the annual survey for years.

Signature Page

If you missed printing out the signature page when starting the Bibliostat Collect survey, or if you need a fresh copy, here is a downloadable pdf file:

• nh08_signature

This page, with three signatures (Librarian, Board of Trustees Chair and Treasurer), is the piece that completes your survey for this year. Deadline to get the signature page to Tom Ladd is April 30, 2009.

I know what you did last week!

Many of you invested time in completing the annual report which is due today, 20 April. Your work is greatly appreciated.

Anyone with questions as you finish up today should feel free to contact Tom Ladd at 419-0086 or Thomas.Ladd@dcr.nh.gov .

One week to go!

The deadline for submitting your annual report is next Monday, April 20th.

An update from Tom Ladd: to date, 103 out of 230 libraries have submitted their reports, 73 have started but not yet submitted their reports (keep plugging away!), and 54 have not started yet. If you have any questions about the report, please contact Tom.

Check out other states’ stats

This week, Jessamyn at librarian.net blogged about the newly-released Vermont public library statistics reports, highlighting some of the things she found interesting. Each state has its own way of reporting on its public library stats; see WebJunction’s Online Directory of Public Library Statistics or the Resources>Examples>State page on this website for examples.

What kinds of reports would you find useful for the NH public library stats? Reports by population category? Or not? Reports showing changes over a span of years? Leave a comment with your suggestions.