2016 Charleston Library Conference

Librarians invest time gathering numbers about collections for various entities, such as accrediting groups, organizations, and their user communities. Gathering collections-related statistics regarding the numbers of things our libraries subscribe to or purchase, as well as the items our users use, often requires a significant investment in time. Definitions can be difficult to apply and some questions do not seem to reflect our current reality or demonstrate value.

Panelists will share perspectives on the challenges of annually gathering and recording collections-related statistics, understanding definitions, and complying with standards in which differences in interpretation can lead to radically different values reported. Presenters will share their practices, as well as suggestions for improving the process and focusing on what is meaningful and manageable. Attendees will be invited to share practices, and will come away with an understanding of the complexity of the process and suggestions from all present.