The Libecon Project: Library statistics for international benchmarking and advocacy

摘要

DGINFOS of the European Commission is to fund for 3 years from mid 2001 a project called LIBECON, which is of great interest and crucial importance to everyone interested in library performance. LIBECON will continue, expand and develop earlier work known as LIBECON2000 (see www.libecon2000.org), which has just ended. IPF, the executive arm of CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy [UK] is responsible for the work and will work through its expanding network of international contacts ("country coordinators"). The project will collect, publish and interpret library statistics aggregated at the national level not only for the 30 countries included in LIBECON 2000 (all countries of the EU, EFTA and Central and Eastern Europe) but will also extend its coverage to the following countries: Australia; Canada; Korea; New Zealand; USA; Japan; Mexico; Turkey and Russia and to any other country willing to participate. At least 5 years' data will be sought from the new countries and 3 years' new data will be added for LIBECON2000 countries. LIBECON will thus expand from its European roots and assume truly international stature.