Compare

One of the strengths of Planner is the ability to compare community information with library information using service indicators. Nine service indicators are provided:

• Facility size measured by square feet per capita
• Holdings
• Reader seats
• Meeting room seats
• Computers
• Parking spaces
• Circulation rate
• Turnover rate
• Operating cost

> Service indicators are an important tool to measure performance: how well each outlet is meeting the unique needs of its community and how branches stack up system- wide in order to weigh access and equity to library services.

> Service indicators are even more powerful tool to measure access and equity when combined with demographic data. The story of access and equity for community members becomes instantly clear, literally in just minutes, when using Planner. And, it gets everyone on the same page because you're all looking at the same data and map visuals.

> Service indicators are an important resource in planning new libraries for systems which are expanding and need to add and/or consolidate existing outlets. Planner calculates the future and long-term population of each new service area by census block and aggregates that data to give you a target population. You set the planning guideline for each indicator, such as the number of square feet per capita for facility size.

> Planner then calculates the quantity for each indicator such as facility size and number of holdings. You can change the planning guideline “on the fly” to understand the implications of adding or subtracting resources from a community.

• Determine library service areas to assure access and equity of services
• Determine patron use patterns by cardholder, borrower, items borrowed by branch and system-wide to inform collections development and patron development campaigns
• Visually analyze the relationships between library data and demographic data to support resource allocation
• Evaluate service delivery in relation to your own planning guidelines
• Identify and select potential library sites
• Share information among stakeholders to build constituent support and improve community outreach
• Provide solid data that demonstrates the need for funding
• Employ visualization tools to facilitate advocacy efforts
• Prepare more convincing grant applications with solid data