Statistics and Evaluation in Librariy

Abstract

In this paper we present the scope and aims of the use of statistics and evaluation in libraries and how they are supported by the IFLA – International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. We give the overview of library activities that can be measured and what methods can be used perform it. International standards and initiatives propose indicators and measures as well as methods for their use that enforce the compatibility of statistical data locally collected and enable their aggregation on the national level. Software for library statistics and evaluation facilitates the work of librarians and enables the better promotion of the role of libraries in the society. For many libraries free open source software for library statistics is especially interesting. Finally, we illustrate how is formal education of librarians for producing and using library statistics performed in some Library and Information Science schools in the Balkan region and elsewhere.