Special Library Data - Definitions and Instructions 2007

Definitions

Audio	Materials on which sounds (only) are recorded and that can be reproduced (played back) mechanically or electronically, or both
Books	Non-periodical printed publications bound in hard or soft cover, or in loose-leaf format.
Interlibrary Loans	These are library materials, or copies of the materials, provided by one library to another upon request. The libraries involved in interlibrary loans are not under the same library administration.
Materials in electronic format	Reference and circulating library materials designed to be processed by a computer.
MLS	Master's degrees from programs of library and information studies accredited by the American Library Association.
Reference Transactions	A reference transaction is an information contact which involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. Include information and referral services. Information sources include print and non-print materials, machine-readable databases, catalogs and other holdings records.
Subscriptions	The arrangements by which, in return for a sum paid in advance, periodicals, newspapers or other serials are provided for a specified number of issues.
Video	These are materials on which pictures are recorded, with or without sound. Electronic playback reproduces pictures, with or without sound, using a television receiver or monitor.

Instructions

NOTE: Please do not report ranges or percentages. If an exact number is not available, please report a knowledgeable estimate or "NC" for "Not Counted".

Section A - Library Information

Please check the provided information and correct if needed. Notify your region about any corrections.

Section C - Operating Expenditures

C1 - Report expenditures for items that circulate to library users or are used within the library building. Exclude supplies used to prepare library materials for circulation, and the cost of shipping, handling, postage, or other operating costs associated with purchasing precataloged materials.

Section D - Staffing

D1 - Report the head count of all paid library staff with MLS degrees regardless of the number of hours each works. Do not report FTE's.
D2 - Report the head count of all paid library staff regardless of hours worked. This number should be equal to or larger than the response to D1. Do not report FTE's.

Section E - Holdings and Interlibrary Loans

If materials were purchased before but not received by June 30, 2006 include the cost in the expenditure section but do not count these items in the holdings section.

E7b - Only count electronic subscriptions paid for by the library, including those available through the library's membership in a Massachusetts automated resources sharing network. Do not count those available through the library's regional membership or statewide through the MBLC.
E8 - Count the lending of materials on request between libraries in the same network and between libraries in different networks as interlibrary loans, though different terms may be used in your network to describe such transactions.

Section G - Services

G3 - Include the total number of patrons/users/customers entering the library for whatever purpose. You may use a mechanical or electronic devise to count visits, or choose a few typical weeks during the year to sample visits.
G4 - Count requests received by phone, fax, mail or e-mail, as well as in person.

Please mail the completed survey by July 27 and keep a copy for your records. Thank You.