Evaluation of the Chinese collection in Singapore public libraries using performance measurement

Abstract

Despite the Chinese collection being a significant part of any public library collection, there has been little research done on the evaluation of such collections. This research study represented the first local attempt in the academic field to evaluate the Chinese collection in a Singapore's public library, using the performance measurement. The inductive method of a sample of the five popular library's circulation data is used. The aim of the research study was to design a set of useful performance measures, using the studying collection use patterns as means of evaluating collections. Adequacy of the book collection us directly related to its use by Chinese patrons, and the circulation data provide a reasonably representatives picture of collection use.