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  1. Number of concurrent logins
  2. Top $ amount that we are working with

Notes, 12/11/08

Sampling:

  • Mat: If we give him ARL stats and full stats, he can extrapolate the numbers, and see if they match.

 What's required for ARL & MIT Libraries:

  • Steve: We need to be able to measure how many questions were asked in general categories; how they're being asked and where.  At desk, away from, in person, on phone, e-mail.  Would be nice to get handle on complexity issue, maybe by taking time.  Uses them to inform general strategy and direction, but doesn't use them to make in day-to-day decisions.
  • Question 31 on page 4 of ARL statistics submission form asks for "number of reference transactions" and "Is the reference transactions figure based on sampling? Yes or no?"
  • The instructions for that question (page 6) define "reference transaction" and it's supposed to exclude simple directional questions (questions we define as "other").  "Sampling based on a typical week may be used to extrapolate TO A FULL YEAR for Question 31."
  • Saw this report, which confirms that many ARL libraries are having a hard time with this: http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/spec268web.pdf

Show and tell:

  • Remlee played with Excel example described here: http://www.bibliotechweb.com/archives/2005/10/27/reference-statistics/, but doesn't recommend.
    • Pros:
      • simple!!!
      • takes stats by hour
      • can run reports easily
    • Cons:
      • Can keep only at one desk, and would have to combine individual stats at end of month anyway.
      • Can't delete a stat easily, and you can't go back and enter stats for a previous time period.
      • No gratification - people can't see how many stats have been entered so far in month.