Koontz, C. M., Jue, D. K., & Lance, K. C. (2004).

Koontz, C. M., Jue, D. K., & Lance, K. C. (2004). Neighborhood-based in-library use performance measures for public libraries: A nationwide study of majority-minority and majority white/low income markets using personal digital data collectors.

• Circulation statistics, an easy measure to take, come back up in this article. Why are these problematic? What kinds of materials do they miss? What kinds of use and users do they miss?
- Circulation statistics are problematic because they are outdated. We need to re-evaluate the way libraries are being used in today's society. Minorities use reference services and attend library programs more often than they check out books.

• What can the outcome be of low circulation statistics?
-Libraries play a main role in low-income learning because of the services and programs that they offer to everyone for free.


• How do libraries fulfill a role in the process of lifelong learning for low-income persons?
-See above bullet-point. Low-income persons can take advantage of these offerings free of charge, and thus learn how to keep up with life in today's technologically advanced society.


• What was the stated goal of this study?
-"The project’s primary goal was to demonstrate the value of collecting alternative measures of library use and develop
standardized methodologies for collecting such data at the outlet level. There were three major questions that the collected data were designed to address:
! What are differences in library use within library markets, with special emphasis on
majority–minority and majority White/low income markets?
! What new library performance measures can be developed to capture these alternative and
different uses?
! Is it possible to develop a generalized yet customizable data collection system that can be
standardized across different public libraries?"

p. 32

• List some of the “alternative measures of library use” the researchers identified and collected usage statistics on.
-"Data Category 1: In-library use of materials
1. Material format (e.g., book, magazine, newspaper)
2. Quantity
3. Language of material (e.g., Spanish, English)
4. Circulation status (i.e., circulating, noncirculating)
5. Material type (e.g., easy, juvenile, young adult, large-print)
6. Dewey decimal (100’s and 10’s) or Library of Congress (first two letters)

Data Category 2: Library assistance data
1. Transaction type (i.e., in person, by phone, over computer)
2. Age of user (e.g., preschool, juvenile, young adult)
3. Assistance question type (e.g., travel, science project, genealogy)
4. Time to answer question (e.g., 1–5 min, 6–15 min)

Data Category 3: Observed library user activity data
1. Library location of activity (e.g., adult area, homework center)
2. User activity (e.g., reading, browsing, using computer, library program)
3. Computer software used (if applicable)
4. Number of users in activity
5. Age of user (e.g., preschool)"

p. 36

• What can these alternative measures tell library management, administrators and others about a given branch library’s use? (Think “funding.”)
-"Additional measures are also critical at a time when many public libraries are facing
budgetary constraints. In reaction to reduced funds, public libraries are merging, resiting, or
closing outlets. Available evidence indicates that actions such as merging, resiting, or
closing a public library branch disproportionately reduce access to information resources
and lifelong learning opportunities for minority and low-income groups (Chu, 1998; Hayes
& Palmer, 1983; see also Koontz, 1997, pp. 44–54)."

p.29

Libraries funds need to now be used for references services and additional library programs offered.

• What can the measures tell the librarians on-site about that library’s use by community members? (Think “services.”)
- Libraries need to develop programs and services that are accomadating to the people that use them at each specific library. That is why understanding how people are using their libraries is important.