ARL Statistics Questionnaire · 91
ARL Statistics Questionnaire, 2006–2007
Instructions for Completing the Questionnaire
General Instructions
Definitions of statistical categories can be found in NISO Z39.7-2004, Information Services and Use: Metrics &Statistics for
Libraries and Information Providers--Data Dictionary (http://www.niso.org/emetrics/current/index.html). ARL has been
modifying the interpretation of the standard definitions to address questions posed by by the library staff at various
member institutions that complete the survey and with feedback from the ARL Statistics and Assessment Committee
(http://www.arl.org/stats/program/meeting.html).
Please do not use decimals. All figures should be rounded to the nearest whole number.
Please respond to every question. If an exact figure cannot be provided, use NA/UA to indicate that the figure is either
unavailable or not applicable. If the appropriate answer is zero or none, use 0.
Although the form allows for data to be entered from both main and branch campuses, an effort should be made to
report figures for the main campus only. (The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System (IPEDS) defines a branch institution as “a campus or site of an educational institution that is
not temporary, is located in a community beyond a reasonable commuting distance from its parent institution, and
offers organized programs of study, not just courses.”) If figures for libraries located at branch campuses are reported,
please specify which branch libraries are included and which ones are excluded in the notes below.
A branch library is defined as an auxiliary library service outlet with quarters separate from the central library of
an institution, which has a basic collection of books and other materials, a regular staffing level, and an established
schedule. A branch library is administered either by the central library or (as in the case of some law and medical
libraries) through the administrative structure of other units within the university. Departmental study/reading rooms
are not included.
The questionnaire assumes a fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. If your fiscal year is different, please indicate this in the
notes below by adjusting the reporting period.
Footnotes. Explanatory footnotes will be included with the published statistics. Provide any notes you may have in the
footnotes area at the end of the survey. Reporting libraries are urged to record there any information that would clarify
the figures submitted in that line, e.g., the inclusion and exclusion of branch campus libraries. Please make an effort to
word your footnotes in a manner consistent with notes appearing in the published report, so that the ARL Office can
interpret your footnotes correctly.
Specific Instructions
Question 1. Volumes in Library. Use the ANSI/NISO Z39.7-2004 definition for volume as follows:
a single physical unit of any printed, typewritten, handwritten, mimeographed, or processed
work, distinguished from other units by a separate binding, encasement, portfolio, or other clear
distinction, which has been cataloged, classified, and made ready for use, and which is
typically the unit used to charge circulation transactions. Either a serial volume is bound, or it
comprises the serial issues that would be bound together if the library bound all serials.
ARL Statistics Questionnaire, 2006–2007
Instructions for Completing the Questionnaire
General Instructions
Definitions of statistical categories can be found in NISO Z39.7-2004, Information Services and Use: Metrics &Statistics for
Libraries and Information Providers--Data Dictionary (http://www.niso.org/emetrics/current/index.html). ARL has been
modifying the interpretation of the standard definitions to address questions posed by by the library staff at various
member institutions that complete the survey and with feedback from the ARL Statistics and Assessment Committee
(http://www.arl.org/stats/program/meeting.html).
Please do not use decimals. All figures should be rounded to the nearest whole number.
Please respond to every question. If an exact figure cannot be provided, use NA/UA to indicate that the figure is either
unavailable or not applicable. If the appropriate answer is zero or none, use 0.
Although the form allows for data to be entered from both main and branch campuses, an effort should be made to
report figures for the main campus only. (The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System (IPEDS) defines a branch institution as “a campus or site of an educational institution that is
not temporary, is located in a community beyond a reasonable commuting distance from its parent institution, and
offers organized programs of study, not just courses.”) If figures for libraries located at branch campuses are reported,
please specify which branch libraries are included and which ones are excluded in the notes below.
A branch library is defined as an auxiliary library service outlet with quarters separate from the central library of
an institution, which has a basic collection of books and other materials, a regular staffing level, and an established
schedule. A branch library is administered either by the central library or (as in the case of some law and medical
libraries) through the administrative structure of other units within the university. Departmental study/reading rooms
are not included.
The questionnaire assumes a fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. If your fiscal year is different, please indicate this in the
notes below by adjusting the reporting period.
Footnotes. Explanatory footnotes will be included with the published statistics. Provide any notes you may have in the
footnotes area at the end of the survey. Reporting libraries are urged to record there any information that would clarify
the figures submitted in that line, e.g., the inclusion and exclusion of branch campus libraries. Please make an effort to
word your footnotes in a manner consistent with notes appearing in the published report, so that the ARL Office can
interpret your footnotes correctly.
Specific Instructions
Question 1. Volumes in Library. Use the ANSI/NISO Z39.7-2004 definition for volume as follows:
a single physical unit of any printed, typewritten, handwritten, mimeographed, or processed
work, distinguished from other units by a separate binding, encasement, portfolio, or other clear
distinction, which has been cataloged, classified, and made ready for use, and which is
typically the unit used to charge circulation transactions. Either a serial volume is bound, or it
comprises the serial issues that would be bound together if the library bound all serials.
