Statistics can help your library to evaluate changes in everything from library memberships and visits, to circulation, program attendance, interlibrary loans, building and service use, operating income, hours open, and salary grids.

As you study your library’s trends over time, you can decide if changes are part of your plan, or if you need to rethink funding, collection, facility, technology, or staffing allocations. For example, if an increase in program spending leads to greater program attendance, you might allocate more of your budget to programming needs. Likewise, if your percentage of library card holders is not keeping up with population growth, you might develop a campaign to attract new cardholders.

Find information and resources on gathering library statistics on the Collect & Use Statistics page.