Guides: Learning Commons Manual & Resources: Statistics

Why do we need to keep statistics?

We must document our services with real data to demonstrate our value to administration. If we cannot prove that we need as much staffing at our service desks, staffing needs and work hours will decrease. Statistics justifies why we all have jobs. Keep count!

What data do we collect?

We keep track of the number of student IDs and staff badges the library creates throughout the year. This also includes the number of online library barcodes that are requested for use of the databases by online students.

We monitor the traffic flow in and out of the Learning Commons. This allows us to see how many people are using the space in the course of a day, week, and month.

If gate counter is red, do not touch it and inform Anne.

**Pending reevaluation in the new space.**

We monitored the movement of the library's material on a monthly basis. The data collected includes:

Interlibrary loans
Number of checkouts
Number of renewals
Total number of transactions
Number of books and non-print material received in bins from other libraries
Number of in-house use of material

We monitor the activity in our databases to assess if the usage merits the cost of the subscription.

Face-to-Face Reference transactions

Reference Consultations (documented by five minute durations)

Chat transactions

Email transactions

Data is collected by the lead instruction librarian. It includes:

Requests
Faculty (full or part-time)
Course
Number of registered students in the class
Type of instruction service: instruction, a return instruction, workshop, workday, orientation tour, honors research consultation, or general use of the space
Timing: Month, day, time