Indicator—Client requests During 2007-08, consistent with the previous two years, all of the Library’s primary clients (Senators’ and Members’ offices, including Ministers’ offices) used the client request service at least once—exceeding the target of 98%. For 2007–08, as noted above, there was a huge increase in online usage of the Parliamentary Library’s resources (600,000 extra uses) offset by a significant decrease (25%) in the total number of individual client requests, and the target for this measure (19,000) was not met. For 2007–08 there was also a decrease (17%) in the number of hours spent meeting client requests. This change is similar to that occurring in many other institutions. A number of further factors should be noted: Since the mid-1990s, a small decrease in client requests to Parliamentary Libraries has been suggested internationally at discussions of the IFLA Standing Committee of the Section on Research and Library Services to Parliament, together with increased use of self-help resources; The decrease in individual client requests at the Australian Parliamentary Library has continued for more than a decade; and The number of client requests generally fluctuates, in election years there are usually fewer requests. The 2008 election period and the three months immediately following the election saw significantly reduced client requests. There has been a slight change in the average number of hours spent on client requests in the past three years. In 2005-06 the average was 2.83 hours per client request, falling to 2.50 in 2006-07 and rising to 3.41 in 2007-08. Factors affecting this include the complexity of requests, time constraints from requirements of clients and the number of newer staff who are not yet fully skilled in this work. There has not been a consistent pattern of change in this area. Indicator— General briefs and publications The number of publications produced was 18% lower than the previous year, although the hours spent on publications increased (by around 3000 hours). The decrease in the number of publications
Indicator—Client requests During 2007-08, consistent with the previous two years, all of the Library’s primary clients (Senators’ and Members’ offices, including Ministers’ offices) used the client request service at least once—exceeding the target of 98%. For 2007–08, as noted above, there was a huge increase in online usage of the Parliamentary Library’s resources (600,000 extra uses) offset by a significant decrease (25%) in the total number of individual client requests, and the target for this measure (19,000) was not met. For 2007–08 there was also a decrease (17%) in the number of hours spent meeting client requests. This change is similar to that occurring in many other institutions. A number of further factors should be noted: Since the mid-1990s, a small decrease in client requests to Parliamentary Libraries has been suggested internationally at discussions of the IFLA Standing Committee of the Section on Research and Library Services to Parliament, together with increased use of self-help resources; The decrease in individual client requests at the Australian Parliamentary Library has continued for more than a decade; and The number of client requests generally fluctuates, in election years there are usually fewer requests. The 2008 election period and the three months immediately following the election saw significantly reduced client requests. There has been a slight change in the average number of hours spent on client requests in the past three years. In 2005-06 the average was 2.83 hours per client request, falling to 2.50 in 2006-07 and rising to 3.41 in 2007-08. Factors affecting this include the complexity of requests, time constraints from requirements of clients and the number of newer staff who are not yet fully skilled in this work. There has not been a consistent pattern of change in this area. Indicator— General briefs and publications The number of publications produced was 18% lower than the previous year, although the hours spent on publications increased (by around 3000 hours). The decrease in the number of publications
dpsannualreport2007-08.docx