Circulation data directs library purchases

According to the New York Public Library directors, “The Snowy Day” is the most checked out book from their collection. Using data retrieved from their circulatory system, they were able to compile this information.

Both the Orchard Public Library and the Clearwater Public Library use computer systems to keep track of all their information. The systems keep track of all books in a library’s circulation, when a book is checked out or renewed and the number of times a book is checked out.

Concourse is the circulation system that the Orchard Library uses while Cleawater uses a system called TinyCat.

“The data is compiled by book title or patron name,” Clearwater Public Library Director Kathy Feusse said. “I am the only one, as director, who has direct access to this information.”

The Ewing Public Library takes a different approach when tracking its books. Library Director Idella Tuttle records everything in notebooks instead of a computer system. She is able to track the same types of information as the Orchard and Clearwater libraries.

All three library directors use circulation data to select what books should be added to the library, as well as which ones should be weeded out.

“We can check eight or nine years back and check when the last time a book was checked out,” Orchard Library Director Donna Hamilton said. “We decide what to do with them after looking at that information.”

When the systems show that a book has not been checked out for many years, the director makes the decision to take the book out of their collection. They can see if a certain genre is more popular than others and continue to buy books that follow that genre.

If a series has been checked out often, they can use that data and know to buy the next book in the series.

Information gathered from the systems also plays a big role in funding the libraries. After librarians provide data they have collected to their respective councils or boards, a decision can be made about how much funding to give the library.

Last week, Antelope County library directors met with county commissioners to present updates about programming and how county funds are utilized. They requested a $500 increase per library.

“We receive our funding on the state, county and city levels,” Feusse said. “The more the library is used, the more these entities will feel their money will be used well.”