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Library Dashboard: Library Stats

2016-17 Indicators

Compiled from 2016-17 Association of College and Research Libraries data and our datapoints, here are some leading statistics for the A.C. Buehler Library. Most figures are presented in comparison to the average of ACRL's 23 similar peer institutions. Example- if the library has a physical books collection of 150%, this means that we hold 50% more books than an average ACRL peer institution. 

Leading indicators

  • Our gate count of visitors shows higher-than-average traffic (6,700 visitors in a typical week, 138% more than the average)
  • We have 198% more ebooks than the average peer institution (approx. 346,000 titles)
  • Our ebooks circulate 137% more than peer average
  • Our library electronic journals are accessed in accordance with our peers' rates (97%)
  • We perform significantly more instruction sessions than average (162%)
  • Our student attendance at these sessions are double the average (195%)

We achieve these results despite a smaller staff (80% of the norm) and at half the average operations costs (52%).

Trends: physical books

Our physical book collection circulation mirrors the trends in our peer population; overall, average peer median circulation dropped 6% between 2016/17. 

Trends: library instruction

Here is a longitudinal snapshot of library instruction scheduled sessions at the library. These sessions are dependent in part on enrollment at the college; typically, more freshmen receive library instruction (via English 106 and the FYS curriculum) than other students.The numbers below roughly coincide with freshmen enrollment.

Per class attendance has stayed flat, but tracks typical class size at 18 students per session. This could reflect instructor-mandated attendance at the sessions, and/or student valuation of the utility of formal library instruction.

Trends: digital books

Our e-book titles remain popular, especially in comparison with our peers. Average circulation among our peers has dropped considerably. We believe our circulation reflects the primacy of e-resources in our library instruction. 

Trends: student productivity

Student productivity can be measured in part by computer workstation occupancy. NOTE- the chart below does not indicate the number of workstations used; rather, these are starting user sign-ins. These users might use the computer for range of time, 5 minutes or 5 hours. The number of logins should diminish over time as available workstations are occupied (user saturation). First, the main floor:

And the main classroom (Fishbowl)

Trends: library traffic

Averaged seat counts of library usage are reflected below (utilization is expressed as usage of overall seating on all 3 floors). Peak usages mirror student traffic (lunchtime/early afternoon, evening shortly before graduate program class start times). Of note in the graph is the spike in library usage during the college's Tue/Thur "protected hour," from 11:30-12:30, when no classes are scheduled. The elevated occupancy here supports our perception that the library is a campus destination when classes are not in session.

Trends: library website

Library website traffic is in step with the academic year. Over time, main school year peaks are lower, but data reflects that we are seeing more summer traffic. The trend for library home page visits is slightly down, while specific course page and help page visits are up. This could reflect direct linking to relevant library pages by the college community and within the LMS (Blackboard).