Usage-based staffing of the reference desk - A statistical approach

Authors
Citation
Rf. Dennison, Usage-based staffing of the reference desk - A statistical approach, REF USER S, 39(2), 1999, pp. 158-165
Citations number
6
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Library & Information Science
Journal title
REFERENCE & USER SERVICES QUARTERLY
ISSN journal
1094-9054 → ACNP
Volume
39
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
158 - 165
Database
ISI
SICI code
1094-9054(199924)39:2<158:USOTRD>2.0.ZU;2-S
Abstract
The allocation of staff: time to the reference desk is one of the mast impo rtant library personnel issues. Staffing level decisions should be based up on the workload at a particular time. If the reference desk keeps records a bout the amount and type of assistance provided to patrons by time of day, then it is possible to statistically analyze the time-of-day usage to disco ver periods of significantly light and heavy usage. Here we provide an exam ple of how statistics can be applied to make these decisions.