ABSTRACT
The most common criteria used to measure the performance of a system are time and costs. The performance of both hardware and software is an important element to be measured and assessed. For hardware, relevant factors include speed, reliability and maintenance and operating costs. Productivity is a measure of system performance that states the relationship of input cost to output level. Accuracy is a measure of freedom from errors and is usually related to productivity. A very important group relevant to human factor considerations in evaluating systems is the library clientele. The opinions of operators should be actively sought and suggestions for improvements in the system or methods of working should be adopted whenever this is practical. The main purpose of collecting statistical information is to provide the library manager with data which will help him or her make decisions about the way in which to use resources most effectively to assist the achievement of the library’s objectives and goals.
