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NISO Z39.7-201X, Information Services and Use: Metrics & statistics for libraries and information providers - Data Dictionary

Draft for Trial Use. A proposed revision to the 2004 edition of the standard.

Introduction

1.1 Scope

This standard identifies categories for basic library statistical data reported at the national level, and provides associated definitions of terms. In doing so it deals with the following areas: reporting unit and target population, human resources, collection resources, infrastructure, finances, and services. In addition, the standard identifies new measures associated with networked services, databases, and performance. These measures are reported at a variety of levels, and at the time of this writing were slowly being incorporated into national library statistical data reports.

The standard is not intended to be comprehensive in scope. Instead, it presents a framework for comparable library data by describing common elements pertaining to libraries of various types in the US. It does not address detailed statistics for specific areas where it seems more appropriate for experts in those areas to make recommendations (e.g., music, government documents and maps).

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to assist the information community in the identification, definition, collection, and interpretation of statistical data used to describe the current status and condition of libraries in the US. In addition, it assists that community in collecting the data necessary to support research and analysis directed toward improving the performance of libraries and enhancing library effectiveness.

1.3 Application

This standard is primarily for library managers and those who collect data from libraries. For library managers, the standard indicates categories for measurement of library resources, services and activities, staffing, and infrastructure. For data collectors, the standard indicates categories for consideration in constructing data collection instruments. The standard also provides guidance to others interested in information about statistical measures related to library services. Appicability of this standard may be at the local, state, national or international levels.

1.4 Format

The format of this standard is by section, category, and then by subcategory. Sections are broad in scope, categories provide more precise divisions within a section, and subcategories provide the most specific division within a section. The categories and subcategories are organized alphabetically, to the extent possible. E-metrics are arranged as categories or within subcategories as appropriate. The six sections, including brief descriptions, are:

Reporting Units http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section2
Describes types of libraries, the entity that has administrative or budgetary control, and the populations served by each. Staffing is described under section "Human Resources."

Human Resources http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section3
Describes all levels of staffing associated with each library type.

Collections http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section4
Describes broad collection categories in all formats.

Infrastructure http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section5
Describes facilities, including capacity and technology.

Finances http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section6
Describes broad categories of revenue (e.g., income) and expenditure by type and source.

Services http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section7
Describes broad categories of services provided by libraries including hours of operation, as well as other metrics associated with understanding library use both tangible and virtual.

In addition to formal sections, there are five appendices:
Appendix A: Methods of Measurement http://www.niso.org/dictionary/appendicies/appendixA

Appendix B: Measuring the Use of Electronic Library Services
http://www.niso.org/dictionary/appendicies/appendixB

Appendix C: Measuring Public Library Networked Services: Preparing Your Library to Collect Network Statistics http://www.niso.org/dictionary/appendicies/appendixC

Appendix D: References in Developing the Z39.7-2002 Revision http://www.niso.org/dictionary/appendicies/appendixD

Appendix E: National and International Efforts Regarding Electronic Metrics http://www.niso.org/dictionary/appendicies/appendixE

1.5 General Principles

The following general principles are the basis of this standard:

1.5.1 Data categories are mutually exclusive as far as possible.
1.5.2 Collection resource categories are based on the following sources: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, second edition, revised; and MARC21 Format for Bibliographic Data Including Guidelines for Content Designation.
1.5.3 Data categories are constructed to provide annual figures as far as possible.
1.5.4 The standard suggests that data be collected so that expenditures can be reported both for all serials and for individual formats because serial publications in all formats are an increasingly important factor in library budgets. See Section 6 Finances
1.5.5 Most data categories in the standard are common to current instruments used to collect data from academic, public, and school libraries by the federal government and other national agencies and associations. Beyond this common level, the standard identifies other data categories currently collected from one or more types of libraries but not from all. Those categories are identified in the database through metatags. The library types include: public, state, academic, school, special, network & cooperative.
1.5.6 Categories of data may be provided by a source other than the library. Therefore, a source notation is made in each Section category. The sources are: library, vendor.
1.5.7 The 2002 revision of this standard acknowledges national survey instruments as well as guidelines and "best practices." Therefore, the applicability of the definition, method and measurement require delineation. The applicability metatags are: local, state, national, and international.
1.5.8 A metatag has been included to advise the user whether the data category represents a total that can be aggregated. The aggregate metatags are: yes, no.
1.5.9 The e-metrics appear at the end of each category within each section. As with all other categories, the e-metrics include a definition, method for collecting, and measurement recommendation.

1.6 Using the Library Statistics Data Dictionary (LSDD)

There are a variety of navigation options within the LSDD, including