current trends in the collection and use of statistics in african libraries dr. elisha r.t. chiware...
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CURRENT TRENDS IN THE COLLECTION AND USE OF STATISTICS IN AFRICAN LIBRARIES
Dr. Elisha R.T. ChiwareUniversity of Namibia
CONTENTS
Historical note – academic and public libraries
Background to survey Part A: Library statistics collection Part B: Main types of statistics collected
by most libraries Part C: Methods for collection of library
statistics Conclusion
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Historical note – academic libraries The International African Institute (1997)
published three volumes on: University Libraries in Africa: a review of
their current state and future potential. The volumes are made up of case studies which include a range of statistical data detailing:
Library collection sizes Library staff Expenditure interlibrary loans Donor support Library use
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Historical note – academic libraries The International Network for Availability of
Scientific Publications (INASP) organized and funded a Workshop on the Collection and Use of Library Statistics in University Libraries which took place in Zimbabwe in 1997.
An Annual Statistical Return was drafted and three libraries took part in a pilot collection project.
Statistical data from these libraries was published in a volume entitled Annual Library Statistics 1997/98, available from INASP
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Historical note – academic libraries The Association of African Universities
(AAU) based in Ghana promised to continue the work of INASP, but ever since 1999, no other work has emerged from this initiative.
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Historical note – academic libraries A number of African libraries are
featured in the Global Library Statistics 1990-2000 compiled by IFLA using data from UNESCO and Libecon. The Global library Statistics covered areas of:
Library servicing the public Library collections New media Usage and users Library staffing Library expenditure
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Historical note – academic libraries
INASP has been involved in the provision of electronic services in various countries in Africa.
As result of these initiatives many African university libraries have access to various electronic databases.
INASP has initiated the monitoring and evaluation of the use of electronic databases (e-journals) in African university libraries.
There is a book of case studies on monitoring and evaluation of electronic resources due for publication later this year.
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Historical note – academic libraries Many university libraries in Africa however do
not have software to monitor usage and rely on data collected through the following techniques:
• Suppliers’ data: usage statistics of electronic resources subscribed through PERI programme is provided by suppliers.
• Library user statistics: usage data is collected from e-resource service points within the library. Users are required to register and indicate which e-resources they intend to use. Information collected includes name, status, year of study, faculty/department, title of e-resource, etc.
• User queries: librarians monitor and analyze requests and questions from users on specific e-resources.
• User surveys: UDSM Library conducts periodic user surveys to gather key information about resources and services.
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Historical note – public libraries South Africa - efforts to standardize the
collection of statistics in public libraries. Funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New
York Working Group on Public Library Statistics (WGPLS)
to facilitate the drafting of a simple form for regular collection of statistics from public libraries so that three databases could be kept up to date
( 1. a library directory containing identification and descriptive data about libraries),
2. a demographic database containing relevant demographic information and
3. A geographic database containing geographical information such as municipal boundaries and location data for the libraries )
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Background to survey10
The objective of collecting library statistics is "to assess the quality and effectiveness of services [and resources] provided by the library" (Poll, 2001,p.307).
Collecting library statistics11
Importance of collecting statisticsThe collection of library statistics provides an essential foundation for
quality library services is a powerful management tool assisting
libraries in establishing good practice, decision-making and user support
can be used for securing and allocating funding
reflects use patterns influencing collection development
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Importance of collecting statistics Usage statistics can be used to develop
performance indicators for outcomes assessment.
Annual (national/international) statistical reports allow a library to compare itself to peer libraries, past experience and desirable goals.
It allows for self-assessment, benchmarking and improvement of library services.
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Challenges re library statistics Manual collection of statistics is time-
consuming Staff lack knowledge and skills in regard
to the collecting, analysing and reporting of library statistics
Management lack knowledge and skills to integrate statistics into library decision-making
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Purpose of survey
Commissioned by the IFLA Section on Statistics and Evaluation
Aims to establish current trends in the collection and use of library statistics in African libraries
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Research methodology
Data collection took place during July 2008 Target audience: Academic, national and
public libraries throughout Africa A descriptive research approach was
applied to data collection A self-administered questionnaire was
emailed to the target group SPSS (Statistical Package for Social
Sciences) was used to analyse the data
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Response rate
132 questionnaires were emailed 28 emails were undeliverable 16 completed questionnaires were
returned by 4 August 2008 Response rate: 15.4%
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RespondentsNUMBER OF LIBRARIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS SURVEY
CountryAcademic libraries
National libraries
Public libraries
Egypt 1
Ghana 1
Namibia 2 1
Nigeria 1
South Africa 7 2
Tanzania 1
TOTAL
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(81% of all respondents)
1 2
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PART A
Library statistics collection
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Reasons for collecting library statistics
ReasonPercentage
(%)
To monitor performance 92.3%
To assist in policy formation 76.9%
To market library services 53.8%
To help in obtaining more funding 69.2%
To analyse and predict trends 76.9%To assist in management and decision-making processes
84.6%
Other: increasing readership, annual reports of the organisation, quality control (benchmarking), monitoring turn-away stats for databases, which influences decisions to increase user licences.
30.8%
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PART B
Main types of statistics collected by most libraries
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Types of library statistics collected A wide variety of statistics were collected , as
well as a wide range in the frequency of collection
The main types of statistics collected by most libraries:
Number of loans: 85.7% Library acquisitions: 85.7% Library materials processing (i.e. cataloguing
and classification): 78.6% Use of electronic databases: 71.4% Number of library staff: 71.4% Library expenditure: 71.4%
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Other statistics also collected
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Type Frequency
Number of e-resources in the library 57.1%
Number of downloads per person 42.9%
Number of library visitors 64.3%
Weekly opening hours 35.7%
Number of reference questions 64.3%
Registered number of library users 57.1%
Size of library collections 64.3%
Size of library budget 64.3%
Library use training 64.3%
Library seating capacity 50%
Library shelving 35.7%
Events in the library 42.9%
Other: number of pages updated on the library’s website, number of hits per page on the library’s website, ETDs added to the information resources, ILL fill rates, gate counts, use of the Internet Café, use of periodicals, in-house use of information resources.
23.1%
Compilation of statistical reports
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Publication of library statistics Annual, quarterly and monthly reports Brochures Departmental/Faculty/University Senate
reports HEQC evaluation reports Library Director’s/Library Committee reports Newsletters Plasma screens Research and self-evaluation reports Library website and Intranet
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PART C
Methods used for collection of library statistics
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Statistics collection: Library sections
ResponsibilityPercentage
(%)Each section or department responsible for own statistics
92.9%
IT section 35.7%
Management 50%
Other: person/s responsible for management information and quality assurance
7.1%
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Statistics collection: Whole library
ResponsibilityPercentage
(%)Each section or department responsible for own statistics
57.1%
IT section 14.3%
Management 71.4%
Other: person/s responsible for management information and quality assurance
7.1%
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Manual and/or electronic collection
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Usually done on a daily basis by physically counting items/users. These statistics are then forwarded to the person responsible for the Library Management Information System.
Manual collection30
Electronic statistics: Examples of software
ADLIB (e.g. Number of loans) Aleph (e.g. Size of collection) CDS ISIS (e.g. Electronic databases) DoNet (e.g. Reference queries) ePrints (e.g. Institutional repositories) Excel (e.g. User training) Innopac report Module (e.g. Cataloguing and classification) ITS (e.g. Number of library users) Millennium (e.g. E-resources) OCLC (e.g. Cataloguing and classification) Oracle (e.g. Number of library staff) PALS (e.g. Number of loans) Prolib (e.g. Cataloguing and classification) PROMIS (e.g. Library budget) QuestionPoint (e.g. Reference queries) 3M (e.g. Gate counts)
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Conclusion32
Positive aspects of this survey It reflects the extent of library services in
those African libraries participating in this survey.
It provides a current picture of African libraries with regard to the trends in collection and use of statistics.
It is an important tool for addressing weaknesses in African library and information services.
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Areas for improvement
There is no agreement on the type of library statistics to be collected.
There is no consensus on how data must be collected, analysed, presented and applied.
There is a wide gap in the type and frequency of statistics collected between technologically advanced libraries and those less fortunate.
There is no national or African database of comparative library statistics available.
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