[PL-Directors] new data question to debut on FY08-09 public library statistical report

Ann Reed reed_ann at oslmac.osl.state.or.us
Tue May 26 10:27:19 PDT 2009


Dear Directors,
 
The Public Library Statistical Cooperative, coordinated by the IMLS, creates the national public library data set and voted to begin collecting information on library programs targeted to young adults. The Cooperative also agreed to define the age range of children as "up to age 11" and define young adult as "ages 12-18." Unfortunately, the Oregon State Library is on the earliest cycle of data reporting to the Cooperative, which starts very soon after such an election. The Oregon Public Library Statistical Report previously has collected data on the annual total for adult and children's programs and program attendance. 
We will include this new data element in the 2009 annual report but the information will be voluntary this first year, as many libraries may not already be collecting that type of information. 
 
This change means that libraries should count both the programs they offer for children and for young adults, and use the Cooperative's definition of children and young adults. As in the past, the audience count is everyone who attends, regardless of age. Libraries will decide for themselves if the programs they offer were targeted at children or young adults, but a single program may be counted only in one category, and attendance should be attributed correspondingly.  Programs for all ages or for families often are counted as children's programs, but it all depends on the library's intended audience for the program. 
 
If the library does not offer programs targeted to young adults, the library would report 0.  If a library is not able separate out estimates of young adult programs from current statistics, please use n.c. for not collected.  
 
This change at the national level is in response to the growing awareness that young adults benefit from specific services and that more libraries are offering services and programs designed for that audience.
 
The new array of programming statistics: 
 
Number of Young Adult Programs 
A young adult program is any planned event for which the primary audience is young adult and which introduces the group of young adults attending to any of the broad range of library services or activities for young adults or which directly provides information to participants. Young adult programs may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Young adult programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need. Examples of these types of programs include book clubs and summer reading events. 
 
Count all young adult programs, whether held on- or off-site, that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Do not include young adult programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities. If young adult programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a book club offered every two weeks, 24 weeks a year, should be counted as 24 programs. Exclude library activities for young adults delivered on a one-to-one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. This figure is a subset of the Total Number of Library Programs.
Note: The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) defines young adults as age 12-18. 
 
 Young Adult Program Attendance 
The count of the audience at all programs for which the primary audience is young adults 12 to 18 years. Include adults* who attend programs intended primarily for young adults. 
Note: Do not count attendance at library activities for young adults that are delivered on a one-to-one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. 
* Please count all patrons that attend the young adult program regardless of age. 
 
With changes to the following: 
 
Number of Children's Programs 
A children's program is any planned event for which the primary audience is children and which introduces the group of children attending to any of the broad range of library services or activities for children or which directly provides information to participants. Children's programs may cover use of the library, library services, or library tours. Children's programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need. Examples of these types of programs include story hours and summer reading events. 
 
Count all children's programs, whether held on- or off-site, that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Do not include children's programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities. If children's programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a story hour offered once a week, 48 weeks a year, should be counted as 48 programs. Exclude library activities for children delivered on a one-to-one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. This figure is a subset of the Total Number of Library Programs.
Note: Children's age is defined as 11 years and under. 
            
Children's Program Attendance 
The count of the audience at all programs for which the primary audience is children 11 years and under. Include adults* who attend programs intended primarily for children. 
Note: Do not count attendance at library activities for children that are delivered on a one-to-one basis, rather than to a group, such as one-to-one literacy tutoring, services to homebound, homework assistance, and mentoring activities. 
* Please count all patrons that attend the children's program regardless of age. 
 
The number of adult programs, and adult program attendance remain unaffected.
 
Please don't hesitate to call me with any questions.

Ann Reed, Federal Programs Coordinator
Library Development Services
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97305
phone 503-378-5027
fax 503-378-6439
www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD
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