Emerald logo
Advanced search

A performance index approach to library collection

Gangan Prathap (National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New Delhi, India)
Rekha Mittal (National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New Delhi, India)

Performance Measurement and Metrics

ISSN: 1467-8047

Publication date: 30 November 2010

Abstract

Purpose

–

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the new application of a performance index (p‐index), extending its use to libraries for measuring and evaluating library circulation statistics in terms of quality and quantity of library books usage by subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

–

The study uses NISCAIR library circulation data and computes p‐index as well as h‐index for comparing usage in different subjects.

Findings

–

The results indicate that a two dimensional map of quality vs quantity of transactions can be used for better understanding and evaluation of library usage.

Research limitations/implications

–

The h‐ and p‐indices and the quality‐quantity maps can be used as a benchmark for monitoring library performance in addition to finding out high value areas in the library collection, high value users, and high value books.

Practical implications

–

The paper is able to supplement the insights normally available from routine statistical analysis of circulation data.

Originality/value

–

This study may help in providing knowledge/insights in building up collections.

Keywords

  • Indexing
  • Collections management
  • Libraries
  • Usage statistics

Citation

Prathap, G. and Mittal, R. (2010), "A performance index approach to library collection", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 259-265. https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041011098532

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Please note you might not have access to this content

You may be able to access this content by login via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you would like to contact us about accessing this content, click the button and fill out the form.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2019 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication Sitemap

Policies and information

  • Legal Opens in new window
  • Editorial policy Opens in new window & originality guidelines Opens in new window
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald’s Library Advisory Network?

    You can start or join in a discussion here.
    If you’d like to know more about The Network, please email us

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Your questions answered here