Training Example: Revision - 630 Total Views of Asynchronous Program Presentation within Days (TOTVIEWS)

[klow-air]

Name:
Ross Fuqua

State/Affiliation:
SDC, State Library of Oregon

Description of Change:
Existing Data Element:

• 630 Total Views of Asynchronous Program Presentation within 7 Days (TOTVIEWS)

Current Definition:
The count of views of asynchronous program presentations for a period of seven (7) days after the presentation was posted, even if that period extends beyond the survey reporting period (or fiscal year). For program presentations made available via Facebook, count unique 1-minute views of each video. For those made available via other platforms, count unique views of each video.
For program presentations that are recordings of synchronous virtual program sessions, exclude synchronous attendance; these should be counted under Synchronous In-Person Onsite Program Attendance, Synchronous In-Person Offsite Program Attendance, or Synchronous Virtual Program Attendance (data elements 616, 617, or 618).

Revised Definition:
The count of views of asynchronous program presentations for a period of thirty (30) days after the presentation was posted, even if that period extends beyond the survey reporting period (or fiscal year)...

**Justification **:

• Most public libraries I have consulted with about this new element (630) have expressed that the 7-day period for this particular type of metric is too limited and is of little local value. Many libraries track (and report to their local governing bodies) a variety of engagement metrics from social media platforms on a monthly basis. Given that most asynchronous views of library programs occur via social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, tracking an additional 7-day view metric solely for the purposes of reporting on the PLS creates an additional burden for libraries without adding value to that data locally.

• The 7-day tracking period is especially problematic for small public libraries. Many of these libraries -- if they are able to devote any staff time to virtual programs at all -- are only able to create one or two virtual programs each month. A 7-day viewing period seems biased toward larger, urban libraries that are better resourced to create and post new program content on a daily or weekly basis.

Potential methodological issues:
Changing an item's definition so soon after development and addition to PLS.

States already collecting:
Unknown