Assess to Impress: Your Library By the Numbers
YOUR PEER LIBRARIES
• Service area population or enrollment• Total operating expenditures• Number of outlets
• Ethnicity• Poverty level• Education level• Average income
Public Library Benchmark Sources•LJ Index of Public Library Service•Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings
(HAPLR)•Public Library Data Service (PLDS)• Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS) •Urban Libraries Council Technology
Benchmarks• International City/County Mgmt Assn.
(ICMA)•US IMPACT Survey (IMLS, Gates, U-WA)
Academic & School Library Benchmark SourcesAcademic School
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
• State and consortium reports
• School Libraries Count!• State and consortium reports• State guidelines and standards
PER CAPITA
Visits
Circulation
ProgramAttendance
Public InternetUse
HENNEN WEIGHTSExpenditure Per Capita 3Cost Per Circ 3
Visits Per Capita 3Materials % of Budget 2Collection Turnover 2Circ Per FTE Staff Hour 2Circ Per Capita 2Circ Per Hour 2Reference Per Capita 2Materials $ Per Capita 2FTE staff Per 1000 Pop 2Periodicals Per 1000 Pop 1Volumes Per Capita 1Visits Per Hour 1Circ Per Visit 1
Print - $135
Online - $200
Develop a library strategic plan that achieves a dynamic school library program and includes a mission and vision, measurable goals, operational management procedures, instructional strategies and an evaluation component.
LIBRARY POP SCORE %ILE
Hotwings Mem PL 25K 559 58%Beefstock Mem PL 25K 464 43%Bacon Mem PL 25K 444 40%
2 week loan period, 2 renewals = 3 circs for 6 weeks
3 week loan period, 1 renewal = 2 circs for 6 weeks
LIBRARY POP SCORE %ILE
Hotwings Mem PL 25K 559 58%Beefstock Mem PL 25K 464 43%Bacon Mem PL 25K 444 40%
Lower poverty
Higher education
$$$$
Large collection
More outlets
PUBLIC LIBRARY SUCCESS STORIES
30% fewer staff
< 2 books per capita
Less expenditures per
capita
Highest program attendance
Large Suburban County Library
Urban LibraryPeers better
funded
Lowest education and
income demographic
Highest diversity
demographic
Peer had more visible
marketing
School Library
Test scores
Economic impact
Advocates
DIY•Focus on important #s
•Schedule annually
•Get help and resources
•Find data partners
By the Numbers: Benchmarking Your Community and Library
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