Statistics

Anonymous asks:

"What are stats for, besides tracking our every move, and why are we the only group that does them (why not circ)? Does it matter how fast or slow we shelve? Is excellent performance rewarded with any kind of incentive (bonuses, raises, paid vacation)?"


Statistics are used to track developments in the volume and effectiveness of the system as a whole, as well as individual performance. We may notice trends--Are 'Minutes (other)' exceptionally high? Have the number of carts dropped or gained from previous months? We've made adjustments based on shifts in these and other changes.

I'm not aware of what assessment measures the circ. supervisor uses for her staff. I use these stats at least in part because pages have necessarily had to be independent, self-motivated employees, and I sometimes fail to notice their good work; the library is staffed at least 70 hours each week, I work less than 40, and all pages are part-time. The intersection between our hours is rare, and I welcome opportunities to recognize improvement and excellence. Some of the data is requested by senior branch management, as well (not for individuals, but for the pages as a whole).

I also look to statistics not for some arbitrary threshold of competence, but as a measure of improvement; pages should (and nearly always do) get better at all aspects of their work. New pages, especially, are interested how they are doing, and I can show them. The speed of shelving is only one part shelving; accuracy and maintaining shelf order are also necessary. Bonuses have been given out for exceptional performances, of which speed has been one indicator of excellence.