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Singing in harmony: statistical benchmarking for academic libraries

Cathie Jilovsky (CAVAL Ltd, Bundoora, Australia)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 4 January 2011

1557

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the design and implementation of a pilot project for the benchmarking of library statistics for Asian academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was facilitated through the development, set‐up and management of an online statistics service for a group of 22 academic libraries in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. CAVAL, an Australian library consortium, managed the project with sponsorship provided by the iGroup, Asia. The objectives were to develop and provide an online statistics web site, to improve the collection processes for the individual libraries and to develop a sustainable service for statistical benchmarking.

Findings

The pilot project provided an opportunity for libraries in the region to participate in the creation and usage of a shared statistical database. At this point in time the utility and value of cumulative statistical collections are not generally recognized in Asian libraries. Hence, participation in the project was an opportunity for library staff to gain some experience with the practicalities, and to raise their awareness of the need for a critical mass of centralized data in order to benchmark.

Practical implications

CAVAL will maintain the Asian Online Statistics web site into the future. Some of the participating libraries are keen to continue to contribute data and to grow the database. However, for this to happen further funding will be required. Discussions are ongoing as to how this can be achieved.

Originality/value

This project was the first opportunity for libraries in this region to gain experience with contributing to and benchmarking with a shared statistical collection.

Keywords

Citation

Jilovsky, C. (2011), "Singing in harmony: statistical benchmarking for academic libraries", Library Management, Vol. 32 No. 1/2, pp. 48-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121111102575

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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