April 12, 2002

Clearinghouse for Library and Information Center Networked Statistics to be Established

Introduction

Objectives

Impacts

Accomplishing these objectives will have significant impacts for the library community and information industry in its efforts to better plan for, deploy, manage, and evaluate the use and impact of networked information services and resources. In addition, the Clearinghouse can serve as a key resource in assisting national, state, federal policy makers, and other parties in assessing the impact and use of networked services and determining the types of programs that require support to enhance the effectiveness of these networked services. Regardless of the type of library setting, the development and standardization of networked statistics should be coordinated across all types of libraries, with national data collection agencies (such as those in state and local governments) and with all vendors and aggregators to be successful.

The Information Institute will increase its consultation with librarians, state library officials, federal policy makers, vendors and other industry professionals, and others to better understand their data needs and expectations related to networked statistics. Then the Institute will begin the process of identifying the various datasets that could be included in the Clearinghouse, determining the degree to which these datasets can be linked, and exploring how best they might be organized and made accessible in a coherent and coordinated fashion. The Clearinghouse plans to develop software and data analysis "toolkits" to assist users of networked statistics.

Products and Services

Sponsors