rem library data 04222014
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Surveying the State of Library Statistics and Metrics - Internationally
@Defining New Metrics for Library
Success
Bob MolyneuxApril 22, 2014
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Outline ● Characteristics of libraries● Characteristics of library data● Uses we put to library data● Tour of library data sites● New measures/metrics● Conclusion
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Libraries have characteristics● Type: public, academic, school, special...● Skewed distributions● Libraries have dynamic environments
– Hence, variables are harder to measure– It takes about two or three years to get
trustworthy numbers– It is easier to measure static things
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Library data have characteristics - 1
● Method of publication/presentation– print to digitized (PDF) to spreadsheets or
csv● Provenance: governments or associations● Availability: free or pay● National-level or local● Universe or samples● Annual/regular or one-time?
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Data Characteristics 2ALWAYS● Dubious archiving● Foggy overlapping terms: inputs, outputs,
outcomes, assessment● Definitional problems/comparability?● Unaudited numbers
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Uses of Library data● Beat funding agencies over the head
– A constant: rank tables, peer comparisons● As an index to libraries like mine● Rarely: research
– What works?– Search for cause and/or prediction
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Pause for a sec…In the Librarians’ house, there are many
mansions We are not enemies
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● Let's go on a tour
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● There have been improvements...too slowly...in aspects of the library data world to address the challenges we face.
● BUT, we have never used what data we have● Many stories ….
● We do not have a critical mass of people skilled with data work and have failed to recruit these kinds of people.
● Now we are looking for new numbers– Which will, of course, be perfect
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Fork 1: Meanwhile….The people who run whatever we call the
libraries of the future will be numerate.In fact, they already are…
And us in the LIS community?
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Fork 2: and I quote:“The existence of a body of data,
especially one that is fairly comprehensive and longitudinal, can distract people from real research.”
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Danger Will Robinson!
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What is the meaning of the Garden of Eden?
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What is the Meaning of that Contretemps in the Garden of Eden?
Good data!
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Then?
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Then?
Bad data!