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Library statistics - How to improve their use and effectiveness

The European Commission, DG XIII, has recently published a report on the workshop on library statistics, held in Luxembourg in December 1997. The workshop, on the theme "From quantity to quality: Collection, analysis and use of statistics for libraries", was aimed at both supp...

The European Commission, DG XIII, has recently published a report on the workshop on library statistics, held in Luxembourg in December 1997. The workshop, on the theme "From quantity to quality: Collection, analysis and use of statistics for libraries", was aimed at both suppliers and users of library statistics. Two sessions addressed the issue of quality in statistics: the first looked at the collection process and the need for statistics to reflect libraries' achievements better, while the second covered the user's perspective, looking at the types of statistics required and the uses to which they are put. Other sessions included an overview of work in the field supported by the Libraries sector of the EU's Telematics Applications programme, as well as work supported by other international organizations. A new project, entitled LIBECON 2000, has recently been approved for EU support, and this was presented at the meeting. It aims to develop a pan-European statistical database by undertaking a continuous survey throughout 29 European countries. Participants were able to comment on the coverage of the proposed survey and draft questionnaires. Also presented at the workshop were results of a new study on "Library economics in the Central and Eastern European countries". The study covers those countries which had signed an Association Agreement (Europe Agreement) with the EU in 1995, and looks at libraries' costs and activities, principally during the years 1990 to 1993. It is based on similar studies carried out in the EU and EFTA countries so as to allow accurate comparisons to be made. Rather than carrying out primary surveys, the study was compiled through national statistical agencies and organizations. Each of these was asked to return existing data in a standard format, so as to facilitate comparison at European level. Overall, the 1993 figures show library spending in the CEECs at 0.14% of GDP, close to the EU figure of 0.16% in 1990. Expenditure on libraries in the CEECs in 1993 is estimated at ECU 296.4 million. Of this, spending on staff is estimated at ECU 140 million, and spending on stocks at ECU 67 million. Some 97,000 library access points provided access to over 1.255 billion items. Around 35.6 million users were served by 180,800 library staff, and borrowings reached 684.7 million items in the year.