The Best Libraries in America?

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The Best Libraries in America?
An Explanation of Hennens American Public
Library Rating
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HAPLR Overview

• Provides ratings for 9,000 U.S. libraries.
• Compares to comparably sized libraries in the
  state and nation.

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American Libraries
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Rating Information

• Composite score on 6 input and 9 output measures
• Similar to ACT or SAT scores
• Scores from 0 to 1,000. However, most libraries
  at 260 to 730

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Percentile Comparisons

• Percentiles compare to all libraries in a
  population category.
• A 90th percentile means library scores higher
  than 90 of comparably sized libraries.

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HAPLR Score Map
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HAPLR Percentile Graph
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Standard Reports
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Weighting of Factors
Some factors weigh more than others in HAPLR
Totals
First six are input measures, remaining nine are
output measures.
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Sample Score Card - High
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Sample Score Card - Low
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Silk Purse out of Sows Ear?
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Detailed data - HAPLR Measures
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Percentile Comparisons
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Detailed Comparative Measures
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Special Reports
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Regional Comparison
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Regional Detail
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Library Special Report
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State Special Report
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Tennessee Ohio
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Tennessee/Ohio Comparison Input
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Tennessee/Ohio Comparison Output
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Input Expenditures per capita
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Input Percent of Budget to Materials
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Input Materials Expenditure per Capita
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Input Staffing Levels
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Input Periodicals per capita
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Input Book volumes per capita
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Output Average cost per circulation
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Output Visits per capita
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Output Collection Turnover Rates
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Output Circulation per Staff Member
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Output Circulation per capita
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Output Reference Per capita
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Output Visits per open Hour
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Output Circulation per hour open.
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Output Circulation per visit
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Standards
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American Libraries Article on Standards

• Objections in past have been from
• High scorers
• Low Scorers
• Therefore we have build-your-own targets
• Planning for Results

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The Article Proposes

• Minimum Standards
• Target Standards
• Benchmarks of Excellence
• Genius Grants

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Genius Grants

• HAPLR type measures for qualification
• ISO 9000 Certification
• Voluntary quality documentation
• American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI)
• Unrestricted grants Baldridge with
• Library school field placements
• Virtual training Internet

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Frequently Asked Questions
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FAQ 1

• What led to the HAPLR ratings?
• Why not consider electronic measures?
• Why not consider square feet for the building?
• Isnt it really quality of service that counts,
  why rate quantity only?

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FAQ 2

• Do I plan to continue publishing?
• Are there similar rating methods for libraries?
• Why is the data so out of date?

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FAQ 3

• How many libraries are there in each population
  category?
• Can one compare rating numbers between two or
  more population categories?

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FAQ 4

• How can one mix both input and output measures?
• What does a given rating number mean, and how
  should I interpret it?
• Where can I see the specific calculations behind
  the ratings?

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Conclusion

• HAPLR Ratings are an attempt to encapsulate a lot
  of data in a single number. No such number is
  perfect, of course.  
• Was the weather better before climatologists
  invented the wind chill index or does it just
  seem that way?
• haplr-index.com