Primary Research Group has published Survey of Public Library Efforts to Enhance Productivity through Information Technology, ISBN 978-1-57440-295-7.

The study looks closely particularly at use of programming and programmer, both librarians schooled in programming and IT staff programmers. The report gives detailed data on how libraries are automating website management, book check out, accounts payable and other areas.

It looks at how libraries are avoiding the repetitive re-keying of information, improving staff communications and making sure that skills are passed from one employee to another, and other useful productivity measures. 

The study also presents detailed quantitative data on the extent to which libraries are using key programming languages such as PHP, PERL, JAVA, C++, Drupal, Python and others. The study also gives data on spending on outside computer consulting and programming services, the extent of use of staff programmers, and licensing of computer code.

Data in the 100+ page report is broken out by size of library service area and size of library staff, mean per capita household income of library service area and also for libraries that employ programmers and those that do not, and for libraries that use outside programmers or consultants and those that do not.

Just a few of the report's many findings are that:

• We asked the librarians in the sample if in recent years it had become easier to produce detailed and useful reports about the library's operations? More than 72% said yes it had become easier, a finding that was consistent among all sizes and types of public libraries.
• In energy use and building management, only 8.33% of survey respondents say that they had made great progress in using data and reports to achieve better management results.
• Nearly 43% of libraries with 10 or more employees had deployed QR codes.
• The libraries in the sample spent a mean of $1,208 in 2013 on freelance or outside computer programming expertise.

The study is available directly from Primary Research Group and also from major distributors of books and research reports. PDF versions are available for $70.00, print versions are available for $80.00.  Site licenses are also available. For a table of contents, free excerpt, list of survey participants and the questionnaire, or to place an order, visit our website at www.PrimaryResearch.com.