Public Library Statistics
Steps for accessing ZIP files
- After clicking on the link to the file you wish to open, you will be asked if you want to "save" or "open" the folder. Please choose to "open" the file.
- A new ZIP folder will appear. At this point, choose to "Extract all files" from the "Folder Tasks" box on the top left-hand corner of the screen. You will now be prompted to begin the Extraction Wizard application. Complete the Extraction Wizard.
- Now that your files are extracted, open up the "Statistics Menu" within the extracted folder and you are ready to view public library statistics.
Additional Tools for Various Statistical Calculations
This calculator made available by the Indiana Business Research Center via STATS Indiana helps local public libraries produce their own annual benefit-cost analysis http://www.stats.indiana.edu/LibraryValuationCalculator.xls
Courtesy of the Library Research Service (CO) site we've added several calculators that you might find helpful
Wage Calculator: http://www.lrs.org/interactive/wage_calculator.php
This wage calculator allows you to enter an hourly, weekly, monthly, or annual salary, and see what salary that translates into for the other time periods. You can also change the number of hours per week.
Random Date Generator: http://www.lrs.org/interactive/randomdate.php
This random date generator allows users to generate a number of random dates for any calendar year, allowing for limiters such as the ability to exclude specific days of the week and allowing a maximum number of dates per month. This is another way of getting typical day results, since it does not appear to allow for typical weeks. You could generate 7 random days, take the reference questions, computer usage, in-house circulation and visits to the library counts for those days, add the results for each count together (typical week), then multiply by 52 to get an annual figure for a typical week count. Of course, you can still do the counts every day for a week, then multiply by 52. Doing two typical week counts in one year is even better than one typical week count.
Hours Calculator: http://www.lrs.org/public/hourcalculator.php
This multiple outlet hours calculator determines total annual and weekly operating hours, as well as annual non-overlapping hours for libraries with multiple outlets.
An additional Library Use Value calculator developed by the Massachusetts Library Association is available on the Maine State Library page: http://www.maine.gov/msl/services/calculator.htm.
The Economic Impact of Libraries in Indiana
The Indiana State Library commissioned the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business to measure the economic benefits of Indiana’s public libraries. In contrast to most other studies that have attempted to measure the economic impact of public libraries, this study also focused on the role that public libraries play in supporting business and economic development in their communities.
This report and other public library information and statistics may be found at STATS Indiana.
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