Cataloging Efficiency and Effectiveness

Abstract

Efficiency and effectiveness of technical services units are difficult to measure, analyze, and compare, partly because operations are complex and vary substantially from one library to another. Cost studies have been widely conducted as a means of measuring the cost efficiency of specific technical services tasks. Since data on costs are not necessarily comparable among institutions, other quantifiable measures of efficiency and effectiveness would enhance managerial decision-making. This article reports the analysis of data compiled from a survey of twenty-six academic libraries. It seeks to supplement the findings of cost studies by providing measures of efficiency and effectiveness for cataloging departments based on reported productivity, number of staff, task distribution, and quality measures such as backlogs, authority control, and database maintenance. Benchmark productivity levels for six libraries with “best practices” are identified.