Statistics are counted from the 1st of August to the 31st of July in any given year; the deadline for submission this year is Friday the 8th of January 2010.

A definition for each question is provided within the web-based form, along with general guidance. You can access the form here:

• SCONUL Statistical Return for 2008-09  

A number of Frequently Asked Questions are answered below. If you have any other queries on the return or the data collection process, please contact lisu@lboro.ac.uk,    01509 635680   .

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get a new password?
2. Can I see a copy of the latest questionnaire (and its notes and definitions) without knowing the password?
3. How can I add data or make changes after the return has been submitted?
4. How can I access the notes and definitions after my return has been submitted?
5. Where can I find copies of my previous submissions?
6. Can I change a figure supplied in a previous year?
7. Which are the sample days for calculating the number of users in the library (4b)?
8. Which is the sample week for the enquiry count (4p and 4q)?
9. How should I calculate study place hours per week (1e and 1f)?
10. How should I calculate user hours spent in training (4l)?
11. Where can I find the latest definitions for e-measures?
12. We have a converged service - how do I allocate financial data which is now all in one budget?
13. What is meant by 'library space devoted to provision of University help and support' in Q1c?

How do I get a new password?
Email info@sconul.ac.uk with your details. A new password will be sent to your institution's main contact.

Can I see a copy of the latest questionnaire (and its notes and definitions) without knowing the password?
Yes - log on to the demo account, with user name 'sconul' and password 'demo'. You cannot enter or save any data on this account

How can I add data or make changes after the return has been submitted?
Email lisu@lboro.ac.uk with the details, and they will make the changes for you.

How can I access the notes and definitions after my return has been submitted?
By logging on to the demo account, with user name 'sconul' and password 'demo'

Where can I find copies of my previous submissions?
By following these links:

2003-04     2004-05     2005-06     2006-07     2007-08

Two 15 week semester pattern

Semester 1:
week 3 Mon & Thurs;
week 6 Mon & Thurs;
week 14 Tues & Fri;

Semester 2:
week 2 Tues & Fri;
week 7 Wed & Thurs;
week 10 Wed & Thurs.

30-week Academic year pattern

52-week Academic year pattern (starting in October)

Which is the sample week for the enquiry count (4p and 4q)?
The sample week is Term 2, week 7 OR Semester 2, week 2, OR Week 17 of a 30-week academic year, OR week 21 of a 52-week academic year.

How should I calculate study place hours per week (1e and 1f)?
For each library (or library area), multiply the number of study places by the total term time weekly opening hours. Add the figures for all libraries to obtain the institutional total.

Institution X has two libraries:

Library A has 450 study places and is open for 73 hours per week = 32,850 study place-hours

Library B has:

1 section with 25 study places open for 40 hours per week = 1,000;

1 section with 20 study places open for 35 hours per week = 700;

1 section with 60 study places open for 45 hours per week = 2700.

Library B thus has a total of (1000 + 700 + 2700) = 4,400 study place-hours per week

Institution X therefore has a total of (32850 + 4400) = 37,250 study place hours per week

Do not include sections or rooms not available for all opening hours.

How should I calculate user hours spent in training (4l)?
For each training session, multiply the number of users by the length of the session - e.g.

30 students in an Information Retrieval session of 1 hour = 30 person-hours; 60 students on a 10-minute tour = 10 person-hours

Then, add together the figures for all training sessions to obtain an annual total.

Where can I find the latest definitions for e-measures?
At http://eels.ilrt.org/sconul/docs/definitionstable.xls

We have a converged service - how do I allocate financial data which is now all in one budget?
Any expenditure which is not identifiable with the library should be allocated proportionately to staffing in each part of the service.

What is meant by 'library space devoted to provision of University help and support' in Q1c?
This is any floor area, within the library space included in Q1b, incorporating offices, consultation rooms, or enquiry desks which are primarily concerned with University-wide student support/advice services (e.g. careers, counselling, disability support, course enquiries, generic learner support).