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Author Archives: John Felton
Nebraska FY2009 Library Data Posted and Mapped
Results of the 2008-2009 Public Library Survey for Nebraska are available for downloading in spreadsheet format. We have also updated the library map mashup so that the info bubble contains the latest data along with a thumbnail photo of each library. The data download page has a new look, too. Follow these links to check out the data updates.
Check out the new data download page at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/statlist.aspx, where you will also find links to the latest library survey results and the updated library map. Or, go directly to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/Downloads/20082009stats/index20082009.aspx for the downloadable survey spreadsheet and to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/LibraryMapFY2009.aspx for a look at the new library map.
Bibliostat Connect Subscription to be Canceled
Due to state budget reductions, the Nebraska Library Commission will no longer subscribe to Baker and Taylor’s Bibliostat Connect product after June 30, 2010. Connect is a web-based application that provides a means to compare public libraries on measures such as circulation, internet usage, programming, budgets, and other data elements. Although Bibliostat Connect is a handy and effective tool for conducting simple comparative studies, there was not enough overall use of the product to justify its substantial cost.
There are alternative methods available for performing library statistical comparisons, such as the Compare Public Libraries tool available on the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) website at
http://harvester.census.gov/imls/compare/index.asp. Nebraska libraries may also request assistance in conducting statistical research from Library Data Services staff at the Library Commission. Contact John Felton, Planning and Data Services Coordinator, 402.471.3216, 800.307.2665, for more information.
Data from FY2009 Public Library Survey Available
The Library Commission received annual statistical surveys from 82% of Nebraska’s public libraries for the 2008-2009 collection period. That response rate matches last year’s survey participation level. The raw data from the latest Public Library Survey for Nebraska has been compiled into two Excel spreadsheets and is also available this year in comma-delimited format for those who wish to download the data for use in a database or other application that can accept input from a .csv file. You can download these files from the NLC website at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/Downloads/20082009stats/index20082009.aspx Other reports based on these statistics, such as a Data Dashboard, will be available on this site in the near future. Also look for an update of our Nebraska Library Map Mashup with the latest information. If you would like to see other types of reports produced from this or earlier survey data, please leave a comment on this blog entry or contact John Felton Planning & Data Services Coordinator.
American’s Use of eGovernment
How Americans Interact with Government Online, a survey report published as part of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, has found that large numbers of people are utilizing government websites for information or to complete transactions. A telephone survey conducted during the last month of 2009 collected data about the number of Americans who used government services online during the previous year. Researchers discovered that 82% of Internet users, which represents 61% of all American adults, had accessed information or completed a transaction on a government website. Uses included downloading forms, renewing a driver’s license or car registration, applying for a fishing or hunting license, accessing health information, or applying for government benefits.
This is important data for libraries, because we know that customers often use library-provided Internet computers to access these online government services. According to a recent survey, 56% of library computer users logged on to find out about a government service. This is another indication of how public libraries are becoming the digital hub for their communities.
Posted in General, Technology
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America’s Libraries: How Are We Doing?
The American Library Association has released another report on the State of America’s Libraries. The title page of the 2010 report carries this tagline: “Recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources; but funding lags demand.” For many in the library business, this is an affirmation of what we have been experiencing – usage is up, while funding is down. Alas, it’s a perverse correlation that is familiar to librarians, whether public, school, or academic.
Despite the bleak financial assessment, the report also compiled research from multiple sources that demonstrates how important our services are to so many people and how well libraries have responded to the needs of our constituents. Some highlights include:
- About 219 million people believe the public library improves the quality of life in their community.
- More than 96% percent of Americans feel that school libraries are an essential part of the educational experience.
- Nine out of 10 college students who were surveyed used the library’s online scholarly databases for their coursework.
- In a January 2010 poll, 65% of the respondents indicated they had used their public library in the past year, which represents over 151 million people.
Get the details at
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/index.cfm
Government Opens New Data Portal
Wouldn’t it be cool if someone created a one-stop-shopping portal for all
U.S. Government data? Just think of it: data from every department in the federal government available through one web site in a variety of common formats for sorting, downloading, and manipulating. Well, stop dreaming, because it’s being developed right now and is located at http://www.data.gov. The official goal of this ambitious project is “to improve access to Federal data and expand creative use of those data beyond the walls of government by encouraging innovative ideas (e.g., web applications). Data.gov strives to make government more transparent and is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. The openness derived from Data.gov will strengthen our Nation’s democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.”
I first heard about “Data.gov” when I read an article in Wired Magazine about the nation’s first Chief Information Officer (CIO), Vivek Kundra, who is the architect of this initiative (http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/magazine/17-07/mf_cio). According to Mr. Kundra, “The default setting for the U.S. Government should not be that everything should be secret and closed. The default setting for the U.S. Government should be that it’s open.” Launched in May of this year with just 47 datasets, the site already has almost 600 such records in the “raw” data catalog, including results of the Public Library Survey from FY1992 through FY2006. The plan is to continue adding more datasets on a regular basis as agencies submit them and to respond to user requests for new collections of data to be added. This project holds great promise not only for librarians and other research professionals, but also for citizens who want to know how their government is performing.
And what about state governments? They, too are ready to join the effort to make government information more accessible. The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has agreed to collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Federal CIO, and the General Services Administration (GSA) to make state datasets available, using Data.gov as a model (http://www.nascio.org/newsroom/pressrelease.cfm?id=36). California, Utah, and the District of Columbia have already established their own state data portals, so you can see how such a project might look (http://www.data.gov/statedatasites).
Data Dashboard for Library Statistics
If you want to see a one-page summary of the statistics from the 2007-2008
Public Library Survey for Nebraska, take a look at our "Data Dashboard."
There are two versions, one in Excel format and another in an Adobe Acrobat
file. Both files are available for download at
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/Downloads/20072008stats/index20072008.aspx.
(Load legal size paper in your printer, because we couldn't squeeze it all into
one regular size sheet). We've tried to create a snapshot of the major data
elements along with a few charts that illustrate some six year trends. Also
included is some information about the status of Internet connectivity in
Nebraska libraries. Charts of trends include circulation, library visits,
reference transactions, and use of Internet computers.
Posted in General, Information Resources
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A Questionnaire About the Library Statistical Survey
Here's your chance to comment on the annual Public Library Statistical Survey
that you're asked to submit each year. Whether or not you submitted a
statistical report this year, we want to hear from you. Gathering
and analyzing annual statistics from libraries is an important part of our role
at the Nebraska Library Commission, but we rely on your participation to make it
happen. So please answer a short, anonymous questionnaire and
help us make the process a more positive experience.
If you submitted the Public Library Survey for 2007-2008, you can click
HERE to submit your feedback.
If you didn't complete the Public Library Survey this year, please click
HERE and answer some questions about the survey process.
Both of these surveys can also be accessed by going to
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/ and clicking on the appropriate link.
Thanks for your participation!
Posted in General, Library Management
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Nebraska Libraries Map Mashup
The Library Commission has developed a "map mashup" of public libraries in the state at [obsolete link removed]. Map markers are
color-coded to indentify libraries by population served, which enables the user
to visualize how libraries of varying sizes are distributed across the state.
Clicking on a marker brings up an "info bubble" containing brief statistical
data, service measures, and legislative district. A web link within each bubble
also connects to the NLC's Library Database entry for the selected location.
When searching the map, it is possible to filter out individual population
ranges so that only the libraries pertinent to your interest show up. Data for
each library is based on the results of the 2006-2007 Public Library
Statistical Survey and will be updated as new survey results become
available.
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New Library Journal Index of Public Libraries
Last June, in an article by Keith Curry Lance & Ray Lyons (www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6566452.html?q=the+new+lj+index),
Library Journal put its name behind the authors' proposal to create a new
rating system for public libraries. The result is, "The LJ Index of Public
Library Service 2009," which appears in the February 15, 2009 issue of
Library Journal (www.libraryjournal.com/ljindex2009).
This index, sponsored by Baker & Taylor's Bibliostat, is based on 2006
data that public libraries submitted to their state library agencies. The
index focuses on four service outputs, measured on a per capita basis: library
visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use.
Top-rated libraries are classified by the number of stars they earned, similar
to a travel guide. They are also grouped by operating expenditure range,
from the $10,000 to $49,999 level to the $30 million and over range. Of
the 256 star-rated libraries in this output-based index, ten are in
Nebraska. Six Nebraska libraries are rated at the five-star level
(Central City, Atkinson, Hartington, Neligh, Ravenna, and Syracuse Public Libraries), 2 are
in the four-star ranking (Wymore and Crawford Public Libraries), and 2 are
listed as three-star libraries (Geneva and Lied Pierce Public Libraries).
While no single assessment is sufficient to measure the quality and value of
your library, the LJ Index is certainly another tool that can be used
to determine how well your library is meeting the needs of the community.
And, in a shameless pitch to encourage libraries to submit their Public Library
Statistical Survey, remember that if you don't report your data, you will be
excluding your library from appearing in this index.
Library Journal put its name behind the authors' proposal to create a new
rating system for public libraries. The result is, "The LJ Index of Public
Library Service 2009," which appears in the February 15, 2009 issue of
Library Journal (www.libraryjournal.com/ljindex2009).
This index, sponsored by Baker & Taylor's Bibliostat, is based on 2006
data that public libraries submitted to their state library agencies. The
index focuses on four service outputs, measured on a per capita basis: library
visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use.
Top-rated libraries are classified by the number of stars they earned, similar
to a travel guide. They are also grouped by operating expenditure range,
from the $10,000 to $49,999 level to the $30 million and over range. Of
the 256 star-rated libraries in this output-based index, ten are in
Nebraska. Six Nebraska libraries are rated at the five-star level
(Central City, Atkinson, Hartington, Neligh, Ravenna, and Syracuse Public Libraries), 2 are
in the four-star ranking (Wymore and Crawford Public Libraries), and 2 are
listed as three-star libraries (Geneva and Lied Pierce Public Libraries).
While no single assessment is sufficient to measure the quality and value of
your library, the LJ Index is certainly another tool that can be used
to determine how well your library is meeting the needs of the community.
And, in a shameless pitch to encourage libraries to submit their Public Library
Statistical Survey, remember that if you don't report your data, you will be
excluding your library from appearing in this index.
Posted in General, Library Management
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Gates Foundation Broadband Assessment Project
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is developing a new partnership opportunity to improve access to high-quality technology services in public libraries across the country. As part of this effort, the Foundation has launched a nationwide survey to collect detailed information about public library Internet connectivity. We are encouraging all Nebraska public libraries to participate in this data collection effort to help raise awareness of the need for high-speed Internet access in our libraries and to devise ways to meet this need.
This is the first accurate assessment of Internet speed in public libraries ever done on a national basis and each state will receive the information gathered, which can be used to help lobby for improvements in Internet access at the state level. If each state participates, there is the possibility of increased recognition for libraries and the important role they play in our society. The Gates Foundation will use the information they collect through this research to coordinate nationwide efforts to improve Internet connectivity for libraries.
We want to thank those libraries that have completed their surveys and urge all others to participate as soon as possible. The Gates Foundation would like to have all data submitted by the end of January, 2009.
Contact John Felton, Planning and Data Services Coordinator, for more information about this project.
What’s in Your Wallet?
According to a recent nationwide poll by Harris Interactive, with input from the American Library Association, two-thirds of Americans would answer by saying, “My library card.” Seventy-six percent of these cardholders paid a visit to their library during the past year, with 35% using it between 1 and 5 times.
The poll was conducted by surveying 2,710 adults between August 11 and 17, 2008. Other
results of the survey include:
Among those with a library card, 41% visted their library online;
Despite the availability of many different types of materials and services, borrowing
books is still one of the top two reasons for using the library, according to 39 percent of
cardholders, while 8% said that using the Internet was one of the top two things for which they used the library;
Whether they have a library card or not, 92% of respondents value their public library
as a “valuable educational resource;”
Of all people surveyed, 59 percent said they were extremely or very satisfied with their public library.
To read the entire report of the survey, visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=949
Posted in General, Information Resources, Public Relations
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Technology and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries 2008
The ALA Office for Research & Statistics along with the Information Institute at Florida State University just published, “Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2007-2008.” This report compiles the results of the second year of a national study that assesses public library Internet connectivity, technology services,
funding, and sustainability issues. The study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association. The report is available online at http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.
Some of the findings include:
Many Nebraska libraries have recently been asked to participate in the “2008 National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access,” which will provide data for next year’s report. We encourage those libraries to complete the 21-question online survey by the November 7, 2008 deadline so that trends in Nebraska libraries will be measured and reported in the next national report.
Posted in General, Library Management, Technology
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Calculating Your Library’s Value
If you are interested in learning how to calculate the economic value, or return on investment (ROI), for your community’s public library, save the week August 18 – 22, 2008 (see comments below). That’s when the Nebraska Library Commission is planning to hold training workshops on the topic. The training is aimed at library-initiated teams of community members who are interested not only in promoting the value of their public library, but also in building future financial support for the library. For more information, visit the ROI for Public Libraries wiki and click on the ROI Training link.
Posted in Education & Training, Library Management
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Libraries – What a Value!
The formula for calculating “Return on Investment (ROI),” is usually associated with the world of finance, but during the past 10 years, libraries and other non-profit entities have adopted this model for communicating the economic and social value of their institutions to the communities they serve. For example, a study released in January, 2008 by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library shows that for every dollar spent on the library, the community gains a return of $3.34.
Are you interested in obtaining more information on this popular topic? Then check out our new ROI for Public Libraries wiki. This site contains a definition of ROI, examples of libraries that have completed ROI studies, information about why this type of analysis is important for public libraries, a bibliography, and sources of library Return on Investment Calculators.
Nebraska Library Commission staff will also be presenting a session on this topic at the [obsolete link removed] Public Library and Trustees Section Spring Meetings on May 6th, 8th, and 9th. This program will discuss the “hows” and “whys” of conducting an analysis of your library’s economic impact and how it can become a great tool for library advocacy and a launch pad for successful fundraising efforts.
