[Genealib] Statistics and the Bottom Line

[Anderson, Debra]

We came up with a formula to monitor our reference questions.  We realized that just counting the people who signed in was not really an accurate reflection of our reference interactions with in-person patrons.  Usually, patrons ask multiple questions in the course of their research visit and just counting them once from a sign in sheet is not doing justice to the quantity of transactions.  At other library reference desks, the same patron might talk to a reference librarian 5 different times in the course of finding their materials during one research visit.

We estimated that we have an average of three interactions with each in person patron.  So we multiply our montly sign in sheet by three.  We believe this more accurately reflects our referenc workload.

Deb Anderson
UW Green Bay

________________________________
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Janice Schultz
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 9:22 AM
To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
Subject: RE: [Genealib] Statistics and the Bottom Line

Kathy and all,
We also collect zip codes.  This shows where our patrons are coming from.  Our local tourism office is very interested in those figures.

Janice Schultz
Genealogy Librarian
jschultz at mcpl.lib.mo.us<mailto:jschultz at mcpl.lib.mo.us>
Mid-Continent Public Library
Genealogy Branch
317 W. 24 Highway
Independence MO 64050
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us
Phone: (816) 252-7228
Fax: (816) 254-7114
Unless explicitly attributed, the opinions express are personal

________________________________
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu on behalf of Kathy Strauss
Sent: Thu 9/20/2007 5:26 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Statistics and the Bottom Line


Hello,

I have been asked to use my genealogy collection usage statistics to justify my budget. I would like to know what statistics everyone uses to do the same. We use our "In-house Count" since our collection does not circulate. What other stats does everyone add to the in-house counts to show usage.

Thanks so much

Kathy Strauss
Genealogy Librarian
Denton Public Library
502 Oakland St.
Denton, TX 76201
kathy.strauss at cityofdenton.com


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