ARL Statistics Questionnaire 2008-2009 · 97
ARL Statistics Questionnaire 2008-2009
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/). ARL has been modifying the interpretation of the
standard definitions to address questions posed by 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/aboutstats/index.shtml).
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, 2009. 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. Please use a
concise sentence/paragraph format when writing footnotes—do not use “bullets” or make a “bullet list.”
Specific Instructions
Questions 1-1b. Volumes:
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
ARL Statistics Questionnaire 2008-2009
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/). ARL has been modifying the interpretation of the
standard definitions to address questions posed by 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/aboutstats/index.shtml).
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, 2009. 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. Please use a
concise sentence/paragraph format when writing footnotes—do not use “bullets” or make a “bullet list.”
Specific Instructions
Questions 1-1b. Volumes:
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
