Circulation Count Clarification

The State Library has received a question about what is counted as circulation statistics and especially how circulation relates to computer use and Open Access customers.

The national definition of a circulation transaction (no.104-115 on the annual survey) is as follows:

"Count all materials in all formats that are charged out for use outside the library. . ."

Use of a computer terminal in the library is not a circulation even if the library "checks out" its computers to customers through its circulation system. Computer use should be counted as "Number of users of electronic resources in a typical week" (no. 178 on the annual survey). Computer use should not be included in overall circulation figures nor as Open Access transactions.

If you have questions, please contact Gerry Rowland, or Sandy Dixon, State Library.