STATISTICS TO PLAN: STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT IN A REGIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES VALENCIAN COMMU

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STATISTICS TO PLAN STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT IN A
REGIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES (VALENCIAN
COMMUNITY SPAIN)

• Milagros Ortells Montón
• Ignacio Latorre Zacarés
• Generalitat Valenciana

World Library and Information Congress 71st IFLA
General Conference and Council Satellite Meeting
in Bergen
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VALENCIAN COMMUNITY (SPAIN)
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Valencian Library System

• Valencian Community
• - 4.600.000 inhabitants
• - 542 towns integrated in 3 provinces (Alicante,
  Castellón and Valencia).
• Valencian Library System
• - Created in 1987. Policies of establishing
  libraries and extension of the urban library
  networks.
• - 532 public reading centres (2004).
• - 983 of the Valencian population live in
  towns that have public library service.
• - 98 of public libraries belong to the local
  administration.

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Department of Books and Libraries of the
Valencian Autonomous Government

• Objectives
• - A reliable knowledge of the public library
  system.
• - Establishment of a regional library electronic
  network.
• - New grants for the public libraries.
• - Legal adaptation of the library system.
• - Creation of new aid instruments for the
  libraries and its professional staff.

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Department of Books and Libraries of the
Valencian Autonomous Government

• Actions
• - Map of Valencian Public Reading.
• - Improvement of the statistical system.

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Reasons for an improvement of the statistical
system I

• Deficiencies of the Valencian Library System
• - Lack of suitable budgets.
• - Lack of professionals in small towns.
• - Small size of many of the libraries.
• - Lack of renewal of the bibliographical
  resources.
• - Reduced timetable for attending the public.
• - Lack of library service in small towns.
• - Limited presence of mobile libraries.
• - Lack of computerization.
• - Lack of legal adjustment.

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Reasons for an improvement of the statistical
system II

• Map of Valencian Public Reading (2000-2001).
  On-the-spot surveys.
• Creation of a powerful database.
• Library Inspection Service.
• Valencian Public Reading Electronic Network.
  http//xlpv.cult.gva.es/
• The whole statistical process should be kept in
  the hands of the officials of the Department of
  the Books and Libraries. No outsourcing.

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XABIB database of the Valencian Library System

• Centralization of all the quantitative and
  qualitative information of the Valencian
  libraries.
• Database Oracle9i, PowerBuilder Release 7.
• Application client- server integrated in a
  network managed by Windows2000 servers.
• Large storage capacity of information .
• Web applications

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XABIB database of the Valencian Library System II

• Tree structure
• - Maintenance.
• - Observations.
• - Annual data.
• - Monthly data.
• - Lists.
• - Local aid.

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XABIB
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Update and check of the directory of Valencian
libraries

• On-the-spot surveys of the Map of Valencian
  Public Reading.
• Telephone contacts with all the city councils.
• Continuous updating on line.
• Priority is given to data entailing a change in
  the directory.

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Integration of information into the Spanish
statistical system of public libraries

• Spanish Group of Statistics of Public Libraries
  (1997).
• Cooperation between the Spanish Ministry of
  Culture and the institutions in charge of library
  policies of the different Spanish regions.
• ISO 27892003.
• Annual picture of the situation of the public
  library system in Spain.

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Update of statistical questionnaires monthly
statistics and the annual questionnaire

• Historical series of monthly statistics
  Inclusion of loans of special material and loans
  in foreign language.
• Annual survey all the parameters applicable to
  public libraries .
• Delivery statistical data Ministry of Culture
  National Statistical Institute (INE) Valencian
  Statistical Institute (IVE) Valencian Autonomous
  Government.

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Simplification of the sending procedure of
statistics

• New electronic models of monthly statistics.
• Sending of statistics via e-mail .
• Introduction of the monthly statistics in XABIB
  directly by the libraries via Internet.
• http//www.cult.gva.es/DGLB/bibliotecas-f_e.htm
• Annual surveys dispatch of statistics is only
  made through postal or electronic mail.

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Consistency of data process of filtering and
checking of data

• Time factor professionals are improving the ways
  of compiling and providing the information
  required.
• Annual statistics Special effort of filtering
  and checking of data.
• Clear questionnaire.
• Explanatory notes.

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Creation of the on-line Directory of Valencian
Libraries

• Open, versatile and on-line consultation of the
  principal data of the Valencian Library System.
• http//biblioportal.cult.gva.es/
• Researching typology of libraries, town
  councils, region, province, number of
  inhabitants, etc.
• Results directory, timetable, services,
  facilities.
• Connexion XABIB-Electronic Network of Valencian
  Public Reading.
• http//xlpv.cult.gva.es/

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2005 The Dynamic Map of Valencian Libraries
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2005 The Dynamic Map of Valencian Libraries

• http//appweb2.cult.gva.es/hdfi41/ESLAB-BIBLIO/bib
  liotecas_c.jsp
• Open and on line version of the internal
  programme for obtaining data.
• Intuitive consultations.
• Historical consultations.
• Graphics.
• 18 sections ? 200 parameters.
• Criteria year,geographic distribution,
  demographic magnitude, library typology.
• Excel ? Versatility.

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Practical applications of statistical management
and approaches for the future I

• Provision of the data annually requested by
  different institutions.
• Making reports.
• Adoption of measures of improvement.
• Reports in specialised magazines.
• Media.
• Research in the Valencian Library System.
• Project Tibidabo.

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Practical applications of statistical management
and approaches for the future II

• Data ? Analysis ? Information ? Knowledge ?
  Making decisions.
• Library dates ? demographic, economic and
  sociological variables ?indicators and ratios.
• Graphics.
• Zonal studies.
• Objective to obtain each time a greater
  consistency level in the data.