Global statistics for the 21st century

This is a project for a three-year collaborative programme between IFLA Section on Evaluation and Statistics, UNESCO Institute of Statistics and ISO committee TC46/SC8 (Information and documentation: Quality: statistics and performance measurement) to:

  • Review the 1970 UNESCO recommendations on library statistics;
  • Advise on the adoption of measures facilitating the demonstration of impact and outcome;
  • Advise on appropriate measures to reflect the use of electronic information sources;
  • Advise on the use of appropriate non-library demographic and socio-economic measures;
  • Advise on the construction of appropriate indicators using the recommended statistics;
  • Advise on additional and supplementary avenues to strengthen the collection of data.

In February 2006 the parties met and agreed some specific work tasks:

  • May 2006: ISO to produce list of core international statistics
  • Before August 2006: IFLA to arrange meetings at WLIC
  • Before August 2006: UIS to draw together a list of previous sources of library data.
  • August 2006: IFLA to consult with its regional committees at WLIC on proposed statistics and potential sources for data, and (with UIS) to identify trial region.
  • By January 2007: IFLA to compile source list for nominated region
  • January 2007: UIS/IFLA/ISO prepare questionnaire
  • March 2007: UIS/IFLA/ISO issue questionnaire.
  • July 2007: UIS to assemble data from early responses
  • August 2007: Preliminary report at WLIC
  • August 2007-August 2008: Further meetings and work
  • August 2008: Public launch of dataset and methodology at pre- or post-WLIC conference.

Inevitably there has been some slippage in the time and the questionnaire will now be issued in May/June 2007.

The planned questionnaire is described below.

Global Library Statistics Questionnaire

The Section aims to promote the collection and use of statistics and performance indicators both for the successful management and operation of libraries and for the demonstration of the value of libraries to their users, parent institutions and funding agencies. 2007-01-31

IFLA World Report Statistics database

in 2012, IFLA has launched a statistics database as a module of their world report website http://www.db.ifla-world-report.org/home/index

The database is based on global library statistics questionnaire and contains data from ca. 30 countries (as of August 2012). Colleagues from all other countries are invited to participate by contributing data on their national library system. More information can be found below.

How to contribute to the World Report Statistics Database (pdf)

The Global Statistics Questionnaire (pdf)

Ulla Wimmer: Contribute to global library statistics with IFLA World Report – Statistics Module (pdf)

Background data for each country

1. Population (data from UIS)

  • number of persons
  • of these children (up to 14), elderly persons (from 60), women
  • literacy and education, access to Internet
  • members of institutions of higher education (students and staff)

2. Libraries (data from national collecting unit)
The libraries can be differentiated as to size.

  • number of public libraries
    public library = general library that serves the whole population of a local or regional community and is usually financed, in whole or in part, from public funds (ISO 2789) Libraries with only volunteer staff might be counted separately.
  • number of libraries of higher education institutions
    library of an institution of higher education = library whose primary function is to serve students, academic and professional staff in universities and other institutions of education at the third (tertiary) level and above (ISO 2789)

Library-collected data:

Statistics and Evaluation

Last update: 14 January 2013