Merits and demerits of measuring the performance of a library service using quantitative methods

Abstract

The article examines the strengths and weaknesses of assessing the performance of a library service using quantitative measures. It argues that quantitative methods are useful in justifying additional funding, continued existence, comparing the performance of library services, among others. It is the kind of approach that is more acceptable to decision makers who find library statistics convincing. It is however noted that quantitative measures do not demonstrate the value of a library service. It does not show how effective the resources are used. It is less useful to a user who is more concerned about the benefits he/she obtains from the library. Such benefits can only be ascertained by qualitative methods.