Survey of Public Library Efforts to Enhance Productivity through Information Technology

Report Highlights

The study looks closely particularly at how public libraries use computer programming and programmers, both librarians schooled in programming and IT staff programmers. The report gives detailed data on how libraries are automating website management, book check out, accounts payable and other areas.

It looks at how libraries are avoiding the repetitive re-keying of information, improving staff communications and making sure that skills are passed from one employee to another, and other useful productivity measures.
The study also presents detailed quantitative data on the extent to which libraries are using key programming languages such as PHP, PERL, JAVA, C++, Drupal, Python and others. The study also gives data on spending on outside computer consulting and programming services, the extent of use of staff programmers, and licensing of computer code.

Data in the 100+ page report is broken out by size of library service area and size of library staff, mean per capita household income of library service area and also for libraries that employ programmers and those that do not, and for libraries that use outside programmers or consultants and those that do not.