ARL Statistics Questionnaire · 39
instruction in the use of sources should be counted as reference transactions on line 31. Please indicate if the figure is
based on sampling. Use a footnote to describe any special situations.
Question 31. Reference Transactions. Report the total number of reference transactions. A reference transaction is
an information contact that involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or
instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. The term
includes information and referral service. Information sources include (a) printed and nonprinted
material (b) machine-readable databases (including computer-assisted instruction) (c) the library’s
own catalogs and other holdings records (d) other libraries and institutions through communication
or referral and (e) persons both inside and outside the library. When a staff member uses information
gained from previous use of information sources to answer a question, the transaction is reported as
a reference transaction even if the source is not consulted again.
If a contact includes both reference and directional services, it should be reported as one reference transaction. Include
virtual reference transactions (e.g., e-mail, WWW form, chat). Duration should not be an element in determining
whether a transaction is a reference transaction. Sampling based on a typical week may be used to extrapolate TO A
FULL YEAR for Question 31. Please indicate if the figure is based on sampling.
EXCLUDE SIMPLE DIRECTIONAL QUESTIONS. A directional transaction is an information contact that facilitates
the logistical use of the library and that does not involve the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or
instruction in the use of any information sources other than those that describe the library, such as schedules, floor
plans, and handbooks.
Questions 32-33. Circulation. For Question 32, count the number of initial circulations during the fiscal year from the
general collection for use usually (although not always) outside the library. Do not count renewals. Include circulations
to and from remote storage facilities for library users (i.e., do not include transactions reflecting transfers or stages of
technical processing). Count the total number of items lent, not the number of borrowers.
For Question 33, report total circulation for the fiscal year including initial transactions reported on line 32 and renewal
transactions. Exclude reserve circulations these are no longer reported.
Questions 34–35. Interlibrary Loans. Report the number of requests for material (both returnables and non-returnables)
provided to other libraries on line 34 and the number of filled requests received from other libraries or providers on
line 35. On both lines, include originals, photocopies, and materials sent by telefacsimile or other forms of electronic
transmission. Include patron-initiated transactions. Exclude requests for materials locally owned and available on the
shelves or electronically. Do not include transactions between libraries covered by this questionnaire.
Questions 36. Ph.D. Degrees. Report the number awarded during the 2006-07 fiscal year. Please note that only the
number of Ph.D. degrees are to be counted. Statistics on all other advanced degrees (e.g., D.Ed., D.P.A., M.D., J.D.)
should not be reported in this survey. If you are unable to provide a figure for Ph.D.s only, please add a footnote.
Question 37. Ph.D. Fields. For the purposes of this report, Ph.D. fields are defined as the specific discipline specialties
enumerated in the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
“Completions” Survey. Although the IPEDS form requests figures for all doctoral degrees, only fields in which Ph.D.s
are awarded should be reported on the ARL questionnaire. Any exceptions should be footnoted.
instruction in the use of sources should be counted as reference transactions on line 31. Please indicate if the figure is
based on sampling. Use a footnote to describe any special situations.
Question 31. Reference Transactions. Report the total number of reference transactions. A reference transaction is
an information contact that involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or
instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. The term
includes information and referral service. Information sources include (a) printed and nonprinted
material (b) machine-readable databases (including computer-assisted instruction) (c) the library’s
own catalogs and other holdings records (d) other libraries and institutions through communication
or referral and (e) persons both inside and outside the library. When a staff member uses information
gained from previous use of information sources to answer a question, the transaction is reported as
a reference transaction even if the source is not consulted again.
If a contact includes both reference and directional services, it should be reported as one reference transaction. Include
virtual reference transactions (e.g., e-mail, WWW form, chat). Duration should not be an element in determining
whether a transaction is a reference transaction. Sampling based on a typical week may be used to extrapolate TO A
FULL YEAR for Question 31. Please indicate if the figure is based on sampling.
EXCLUDE SIMPLE DIRECTIONAL QUESTIONS. A directional transaction is an information contact that facilitates
the logistical use of the library and that does not involve the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or
instruction in the use of any information sources other than those that describe the library, such as schedules, floor
plans, and handbooks.
Questions 32-33. Circulation. For Question 32, count the number of initial circulations during the fiscal year from the
general collection for use usually (although not always) outside the library. Do not count renewals. Include circulations
to and from remote storage facilities for library users (i.e., do not include transactions reflecting transfers or stages of
technical processing). Count the total number of items lent, not the number of borrowers.
For Question 33, report total circulation for the fiscal year including initial transactions reported on line 32 and renewal
transactions. Exclude reserve circulations these are no longer reported.
Questions 34–35. Interlibrary Loans. Report the number of requests for material (both returnables and non-returnables)
provided to other libraries on line 34 and the number of filled requests received from other libraries or providers on
line 35. On both lines, include originals, photocopies, and materials sent by telefacsimile or other forms of electronic
transmission. Include patron-initiated transactions. Exclude requests for materials locally owned and available on the
shelves or electronically. Do not include transactions between libraries covered by this questionnaire.
Questions 36. Ph.D. Degrees. Report the number awarded during the 2006-07 fiscal year. Please note that only the
number of Ph.D. degrees are to be counted. Statistics on all other advanced degrees (e.g., D.Ed., D.P.A., M.D., J.D.)
should not be reported in this survey. If you are unable to provide a figure for Ph.D.s only, please add a footnote.
Question 37. Ph.D. Fields. For the purposes of this report, Ph.D. fields are defined as the specific discipline specialties
enumerated in the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
“Completions” Survey. Although the IPEDS form requests figures for all doctoral degrees, only fields in which Ph.D.s
are awarded should be reported on the ARL questionnaire. Any exceptions should be footnoted.