Taking the numb out of numbers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights and commentary into issues encountered in maintaining and assessing library technologies and technology-based services with limited budgets and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses real-world experiences, data and examples gleaned from the evolution of baseball metrics to propose alternative methods of assessing library resources and services.

Findings

Traditional methods of measuring success in baseball proved to be insufficient in telling the entire story behind the numbers. The same is true of libraries where librarians have been very good at gathering numbers, but very poor at using these data to the greatest advantage.

Originality/value

This paper examines the parallels between the baseball and library worlds. It uses anecdotes gleaned from popular media to illustrate the similarities in the number-driven aspects of these institutions. It suggests that libraries take a path similar to that of baseball in developing new measures to paint a more accurate picture of their value and return on investment.

Citation

McMullen, A. (2014), "Taking the numb out of numbers", The Bottom Line, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 86-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-06-2014-0018