The circulation/acquisition ratio: An input-output measure for libraries

摘要

A “quick-and-dirty” input-output measure for libraries is derived using readily available data. The library is defined as a system that acquires books as input and circulates books as output. By simply dividing the number of books circulated per unit time by the number of books acquired in that same time, such a measure is created. Used like a temperature thermometer, the C/A ratio has to be “just right” (not too high and not too low) if the library is to be considered “healthy”.