Quantitative Evaluation Study of Public Libraries

Based on the theory of sustainable development, the evaluation indexes system of public libraries has been established. The evaluation indexes system was established including 12 indexes. Both principal component analysis and comprehensive evaluation method were applied in empirical evaluation study on public libraries of 31 provinces in 2008. We have sorted the sustainable development levels of 31 provinces respectively according to the results of two methods. It is concluded that the evaluation results of two methods are consistent, the sustainable development level of public libraries in Guangdong was the best, and the sustainable development level of Xinjiang was the worst. The results prove it is feasible and scientific that two quantitative methods are applied in the evaluation of public libraries at the same time, which provide the theory basis for the evaluation study of public libraries.