Good questions. In general, it isn't the definition of "active" that results in our withdrawing a patron record, it is more correctly "last use". So for us, 2 years of NON USE is when we withdraw the record. To define a level of activity, with today's database capacity as opposed to file cards 20 years ago, may not be a worthwhile task. Would one withdraw a patron in one year if they checked out only 10% during some defined time? That would be hard to get ones hands around, and it results in rework for you and the member of the public to re-register. When I cite the number of cardholders, I'm always clear to qualify that x number of cardholders have checked out materials some time in the past two years. This does not account for users who do not have a card (periodical users, someone trying to find a quiet place to read or study).
So, we don't really define patrons as active-only as those who have checked out over a certain period of time. Remember-access to databases from home does not result in a circulation count! For us, if they are using ONLY databases (doubt it), it wouldn't hurt for them to come back and visit us every two years so we can verify address/TDL. Your first paragraph, though, not so much about what defines an active user but rather the concept of retention rates, is excellent. And, I think you might be on the high end. The factors are for this are complicated. Is it high because the collection is super, the population value libraries highly, your environment is energized and welcoming, you have great per capita funding-lots of reasons. If you can find out why, that would make the number more meaningful. Being in the Galleria definitely helps with visibility!!! We had, in the early 2000 period, a 30% annual withdraw rate of customer records. A random check found that most of these people moved (we contacted a random sample over a 3 month period). We may be more mobile than your community, so that could contribute to a lower rate of retention. But, being in an active shopping area and any liberal use policies (non-resident) that you have would also contribute to great numbers, too. Yep, good questions. What contributes to that high rate is what is interesting. Dale Dale Ricklefs, Library Director Round Rock Public Library 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664 512-218-7010; 218-7061 (fax); [email protected] Go to Facebook, and become a fan of Round Rock Public Library Visit our website at: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/library We're on Twitter at RoundRockPL -------------------------------------------------------------- If you get a "mailbox full" or some form of message identifying delivery problems, please call me at one of the numbers above. Thank you! From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Laurie Mahaffey Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 3:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ctls-l] Another question for CTLS members From: Barbara D. Hathaway [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 12:34 PM Subject: RE: Another question for CTLS members 1. I'm curious if there is a "best practices" nation-wide for public libraries, and whether it varies by the size of the library or rural vs. suburban vs. urban (which likely correlates to size) as to what they consider "active" patrons-that's my first question. And then second, what is a typical percentage for "active" borrowers? In looking over my own stats for the past 3 years (since we moved to the Galleria and our growth exploded), if I look at people who've checked out an item within the last year, it's 56% of registered borrowers; within past 2 yrs, 77%; within past 3 yrs, 81%. Those numbers (for past 2 and 3 years) seem high to me, so I wondered what an average or typical percent of active borrowers might be nation-wide or state-wide, so I can tell if we're under- or over-performing or somewhere in the range of typical for our size. Any guidance anyone can give me on this is very much appreciated, and please feel free to share my question as widely as you like. 2. We are a relatively new library (opened in late 2005), and I'd like to get a feel for whether we are typical in the percentage of our patrons who are "active", as well as how to define that term. This relates somewhat to yesterday's question about purging inactive borrowers (thanks to all of you who replied, by the way!): a. How do you define "active borrowers" ? If we are supposed to purge inactive borrowers after 3 years, do you consider anyone who has checked something out within the past 3 years an "active" borrower? If not, what do you use-within the past year? Within past 2 years? b. What percentage of your registered borrowers are "active" under whatever definition you use? Thanks for all your help, everyone! Barbara Barbara Hathaway Library Director Bee Cave Public Library 4000 Galleria Parkway Bee Cave, TX 78738-6370 512.767.6620 Library 512.767.6624 Direct Line 512.767.6629 Fax http://pl.beecavetexas.gov [email protected]
