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- http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2007/reference-statistics-with-zoho-creator/; A librarian tried out an online database application to create a way to keep track of ref stats. It took her 20 minutes to create, and it seems to have lots of features. Worth reading this simple blog entry. (LRH)
- http://www.bibliotechweb.com/archives/2005/10/27/reference-statistics/ Older article (2005) about using Excel and Macros to create a simple input form that also adds a time stamp and can do sums. (LRH)
- Collecting Virtual Reference Statistics with an IM Chat-Bot: A perennial problem in libraries is capturing accurate statistics. This article addresses this problem with the creative use of Web 2.0 tools: Meebo and AOL Instant Messenger. It describes the development and implementation of an instant messaging "stat-bot" that prompts staff to record virtual reference statistics via IM. Step-by-step guidelines and the perl script are provided. http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/85 (LRH)
Remlee (summaries to come...):
- A Correlation Method for Collecting Reference Statistics (from College & Research Libraries, 1999, v.60, no.1)
- U of South Carolina tried sampling approach for ref stats, and did some math to support the sample by correlating ref stats to door count.
- Eventually, they used door count to estimate the number of in person ref stats pretty reliably, but they couldn't count phone or electronic stats
- Pretty interesting... pretty mathematical...
- Reference Use Statistics: Statistical Sampling Method Works (p.45-57; from Southeastern Librarian)
- Includes a lit review, describes what other schools are doing; the one about LSU was interesting: they asked the statistics department to help them, and they ended up sampling with 60 hours of 4103 total service hours for the year. Error rate was 11.23%, which is actually pretty good.
- Focuses on in person ref stats
- A tool for all places: a web-based reference statistics system (from Reference Services Review)
- First few pages do a great job of summarizing our concerns and questions.
- Then talks about the online form that Texas A&M developed in HTML and ASP code, with screenshots and code included.
- Too clunky for us.
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