Definitions that passed in 2002 The cycle is based on “program year” (beginning at the Annual Conference (December 2001) and concluding the month prior to the next Annual Conference (December 2002).

Year 1
At the annual conference (December 2001) data elements for proposed additions, changes or deletions identified. Must be endorsed by at least 10 Data Coordinators. Ballot sent out in beginning of 2002. Results posted on NCLIS/LSP website.

Year 2 (FY 2002 data collection)
At the annual conference (December 2002), training on new and revised data elements (that passed in Year 2002) will be provided. A new or revised data element will be reported on a trial basis by any State Data Coordinator able to do so. Trial data will be electronically released but not published.

Year 3 (FY 2003 data collection)
The added or changed data element will be reported in the annual data submission and will be electronically released and published.

For more information please see: FSCS for Public Library Data Policy and Procedures for Review of Data Elements:
http://www.nclis.gov/statsurv/surveys/fscs/aboutFSCS/PolicyandProcedureDataElements.pdf

Definitions that passed in 2002

1. Library Materials in Electronic Format

Revised definition:
Report the number of physical units such as CD-ROMS, diskettes, etc., that are designed to be processed by a computer. Examples are government documents, reference tools or serials distributed on CD-ROM or other portable digital carrier, locally mounted databases, diskettes or magnetic tapes. Exclude bibliographic records used to manage the collection, library system software, and microcomputer software used only by the library staff.

2. Internet access code
Data element #49 eliminated