Analyzing Library Collection Use With Excel

In this unique guide, two collection development experts show how to use Excel® to translate circulation and collection data into meaningful reports for making collection management decisions. Step-by-step instructions accompanied by screen shots allow anyone to use Excel® to quickly “crunch the numbers” that often bog down library use studies. Analyzing Library Collection Use with Excel® gives library collection analysts the ready tools to

-- Process raw data into usable information
-- Understand the varieties of possible analyses
-- Identify the most relevant types of analysis for their collections
-- Identify weaknesses and build on the strengths identified in their collections
-- Illustrate circulation data using charts and graphs

This hands-on guide shows how to set up customized spreadsheets and processes all data into usable summaries. Librarians responsible for collection development in public, school, academic, and special libraries will learn why analyzing collection use is important and how they can analyze that use to better serve their patrons.