Comments on: Give Us a Dollar: Any interest? (Redux)

By: waltcrawford

waltcrawford — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:40:52 +0000

Thanks! I could use a few more comments…but at this point (and not knowing when IMLS will release the figures), I’m inclined to proceed with this project.

By: Nancy Adams

Nancy Adams — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:34:54 +0000

Walt,

This kind of analysis is so useful to public libraries looking for the best way to maximize their funding dollars. As a library that was given one year’s notice of losing its sole local funding source and filled that financial gap in the nick of time with a dedicated real estate tax through referendum, we know! Our ability to show enough voters that they were getting their money’s worth has to have been at least one of the motivations. we could certainly use more and better figures, so please write on! we’ll buy a copy for sure.

By: waltcrawford

waltcrawford — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:41:56 +0000

I think there are two problems with that: First, I don’t know of a data source comparable to IMLS for the 3,600-odd academic libraries. Second, unless there was a data source with deep and consistent data on data–that is, on usage of e-resources–I don’t know how you’d assemble a suitable set of benchmarks. Or at least how *I* would. So it’s an interesting idea, but not one that I think I’d have any idea how to do.

By: bakerl

bakerl — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:26:28 +0000

Any thought of providing something like this for academic libraries?

By: waltcrawford

waltcrawford — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:48:27 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Jeff. If I do the book, I might also do a followup (later, in C&I) looking at some 2009:2010 comparisons that don’t turn up in IMLS’ own report.

By: Jeff Scott

Jeff Scott — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:46:06 +0000

Walt,

Sounds like a great project and very useful for libraries. More administrators need to understand the value libraries provide. Even with the lag time in statistics, there shouldn’t be such a significant difference as to skew your numbers. I would buy a copy.