An exploratory quantitative analysis of academic library services: An examination of performance based metrics

This exploratory study addresses performance measurement in academic libraries by using selected responses provided by academic libraries to national surveys. For comparative purposes, the authors suggest the construction and use of a total service index and various cost measurements as determined by enrollment and by library use. The statistical analyses of academic library data presented in this study may be helpful in initiating a discussion among scholars and academic library administrators (with whom or for what purpose, please clarify who you see as the discussion participants) regarding the costs of using an academic library and how this information could be used for various purposes such as benchmarking or requesting additional funds to support library services.