[PL-Directors] The FY2005-2006 Public Library Statistical Report now open!

[Ann Reed]

The year flies by fast, and its time again for the annual Public Library 
Statistical Report! 

You will all  soon be receiving a mailing that includes the announcement 
letter, a tip sheet, and a sheet with the needed URL, password and user 
name.  We haven't changed user names or passwords since last year, so if 
you've written them down somewhere, you're good to go!

Some things to bear in mind:

    * Call for help early and often!!  Its a lot cheaper to call
      503-378-5027 or email ann.reed at state.or.us than it is to fix the
      dents in the desk or wall, your forehead, or do a hair graft for
      the hair you've pulled out!

    * Technical problems with Bibliostat?  Call 1-866-785-9935

    * Never done this survey or used Bibliostat?  Call 503-378-5027 to
      set up a walkthrough.   I'll also be happy to visit!!

    * Due date is Oct 2!  Normally its the 1st, but for those of us who
      live life on the edge, it seemed better to have the due date on a
      day when we can answer those last-minute questions.

    * Look over your data for obvious errors and completeness before
      clicking the submit button.  The better the data coming in, the
      more confident you can be using the preliminary data in the winter.


Other handy things to know:

    * Your data gets used a lot by other libraries, the State Library,
      and federal agencies, for comparison, advocacy, fund-raising,
      planning, policy making, and more.  In particular, circulation of
      children's materials and children's programming statistics are the
      main support in the request for Ready to Read funds.

    * We're working on adapting a simple but nifty tool developed by the
      Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.  We will try to do
      this tool for the 2-3 most popular per capita comparison
      statistics in January, and are working on a version that lets you
      pick up to 3 other libraries and do a simple chart.  I've attached
      a sample spreadsheet to try out.  Click on any of the yellow
      dropdowns to change a selection.  To print the graph, position
      your mouse over it, click the right mouse button, and select
      print.  The usefulness of this tool in January will really depend
      on the completeness and accuracy of the data you submit.  (by the
      way, any feedback on this project is appreciated)

Lastly,  Call for help early and often!!  503-378-5027

Yours,
Ann Reed

-- 
Ann Reed, Federal Programs Coordinator
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 378-5027
fax (503) 378-6439
ann.reed at state.or.us

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