Why library statistics? The statistician’s view Simon Ellis

1. Why library statistics? The statistician’s view Simon Ellis Head of Science Culture and Communications Statistics

2. International demand for information literacy statistics • Millennium Development Goals • World Summit on the Information Society • Access to public information • Indicator framework; Partnership for Measurement of ICTs for Development – UNESCO, ITU, UNCTAD, OECD, EU, UN • Education For All • Indicator framework; UNESCO Global EFA Monitoring Report ‘literate environment’

3. Why do libraries need statistics? • What can’t be measured can’t be managed • Decline in library function/usage?? • Negotiating a new role • Digital archives • Information provision

4. Libraries services - someone from whom you can find out anything! ??? Training? No service! Gaming?

5. The data pyramid/pagoda global regional national

6. Libraries as places for statistics • Recognised in every community • ‘controlled environment’ • Professional staff • Sampling base; census records, electoral registers, telephone books • Demand; people come to libraries with questions about their community SO a good place to assess demand for information • IT resources for examining results

7. IFLA/ISO/UIS Library survey 2007 – the response • 26/41 countries responded after three reminders from UNESCO & IFLA • Only basic data on stock/ no. of institutions available • Few responses on events, training, e-info etc

8. Information literacy indicators 2 - access

9. Library statistics in transitional & developing countries • Lower levels of literacy • Greater need for surveys of ‘readers’ • locational studies; use reader surveys to place libraries • where they will be used (in walking distance) • Where they can help fight illiteracy and poverty • Fewer resources • What is the minimum set of statistics needed to run a local library? • Lack of IT • Reliance on manual counts/catalogues etc • National data collected by hand & less networking • More emphasis on effective use of national network; getting the right books to the right places

10. Libraries as place – the minimum • The place – a tree • A certain time of day • Easy walking access • Use of mobile technology • Stock of books • Information services • Identifiable location • A ‘known’ community

11. What libraries don’t measure? • Libraries should measure demand • Surveys of readers, community surveys • Use census data • Barriers to use • Most convenient opening times • Interest in events and exhibitions • Access issues • Public transport • Libraries as data centres always with something new to say about the community

12. We need discussion here on • What are the best statistical indicators for libraries? • Are different indicators required by developing and developed countries? • How can we encourage libraries to collect more statistics? • Choose the indicators that are most relevant….national….regional …international. Which ones are they? • Build ownership and capacity for data collection, in a climate of lack of resources. How? • Only when there is good national data will there be good international data • Only when there is good international data will libraries role in ‘knowledge societies’, Education for All, Information for All…. be recognised