Annual Report Changes: Programming

I understand that the nature of programming has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that libraries are offering a variety of virtual programs and I tried to reflect that on the annual report. However, I was leery of adding too many new questions. Since IMLS decided that live (or synchronous) programs are ultimately added into the totals for number of programs and program attendance, I decided not to break them out into separate questions. These are programs where the audience/participants have the opportunity to view the program online as it is being recorded over a platform such as Facebook Live. You may include live virtual programs in the regular programming numbers. I also understand that counting attendees at live virtual programs can be a challenge and simply ask that you do so to the best of your abilities. If you feel that you are unable to obtain an accurate count of the attendance due to this issue, or simply did not count attendance at virtual programs that were included in your programming numbers, I recommend clicking ‘Unavailable.’

Prerecorded programs are not included in the traditional programming numbers, though, so I have added two new questions to the annual report:

         Prerecorded Programs: A prerecorded program session is any planned event that is streamed virtually but cannot be viewed live as it unfolds (asynchronous streaming). Only include program sessions posted during the reporting period. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, or platforms on which it is posted, each program session should only be counted once and in one format category. Count prerecorded program sessions at the administrative entity level; do not duplicate numbers at each branch.

         Prerecorded Program Viewings: The count of views of prerecorded program sessions throughout the reporting period. Only include views of program sessions posted during the reporting period. Regardless of the number of formats in which a program session is offered, each attendee or view should only be counted once. Each attendee should be counted in the format category in which they attended or viewed the program session. For program sessions made available via Facebook, count unique 30-second views of each video. For those made available via other platforms, count unique views of each video.

Full disclosure, this could all change next year. At the (virtual) SDC conference this year, several changes were proposed to the programming numbers.  I am opposed to most of them because I feel that they will unduly increase the burden on respondents (i.e. you), but I’m just one (cranky) man and can only do so much to fight the system. I will go over those proposed changes in a separate email sometime in the near future.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Tim Rohe
Reference Librarian/State Data Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library
603-271-2060