Measure for measure: using statistics to monitor service take-up of the University of Leicester Library's Distance Learning Unit

The new Distance Learning Unit at the University of Leicester Library needed to evaluate and measure take-up of services in order to secure funding beyond the initial three-year funding period. The Unit established a comprehensive procedure for recording transactions which included both manual and computer generated data. This data was presented in several different ways to different groups within the University. Statistics were collected to aid library management, provide information to academic departments and for broader University management. The quantitative data revealed a significant growth in all service areas and qualitative feedback has been very positive. Members of the team have experienced several positive outcomes as a result of collecting this information and are highly committed to this time consuming task.