Statistics are counted from the 1st of August to the 31st of July in any given year; the deadline for submission this year is 30 January 2026.

A definition for each question is provided within the web-based form, along with general guidance.

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 sonya.white@hotmail.co.uk.

FAQs

Can I see a copy of the latest questionnaire (and its notes and definitions)?
A copy of the latest return is available here. A a master spreadsheet allowing you to start filling in data is available here.

For pro-formas to assist in the calculation of certain questions, please use the spreadsheet available here.

How can I add data or make changes after the return has been submitted?
Email sonya.white@hotmail.co.uk with the details, and they will make the changes for you.

Can I change a figure supplied in a previous year?

Yes – Email sonya.white@hotmail.co.uk with the details, and they will change the web database.

How can I obtain my institution’s return after submission?

If you do not receive a copy of your return after submission, please email sonya.white@hotmail.co.uk. 

How do I calculate full-text article requests if COUNTER R4 JR1 data is not available?

Where R5.1 data [R5.1 TR_J1] is not available, use whatever usage statistic gives the nearest match, with a preference for R5 data where available. You can find a table on the COUNTER website that presents the equivalent R4 metric types and R5 Metric Types and filters by report.

How should I calculate user hours spent in training (4.8)?

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.

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.