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Home > For Libraries > Statistics & Reports > Reports > 2007 Online Instructions

2007 Instructions for Completing the Online Public Library Annual Report

Minimum Requirements

  • PC (does not work with a MAC)
  • Microsoft Explorer 5.0 or higher
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader - to print forms and FAQ's
  • 800 X 600 resolution (for best screen viewing)

How To Start

  • Go to: http://collect.informata.com
  • This will bring you to a login screen
  • Login and passwords same as last year. Contact me (Felicia) if you need this information.
  • Hold down the control (Ctrl) key at the same time you click on the login icon. Don't let go until a new screen appears or it will revert back to the login screen again.

The Four Sections of the Survey

  1. Home - This is for my use only
  2. Survey - This is the default screen where you will be completing the report
  3. Status and Printing - This is where you will print your report and submit it
  4. Logout - when you need to leave the survey

Completing the Survey

  • Please keep in mind that all fields have to be filled in and all edits must be annotated or the survey cannot be submitted. If you do not have data for some of the fields, please type in N/A.
  • Some data fields are prefilled. If you need to change the information, you simply click on that field and make the change.
  • To the right of each data field there is a flag button and a note button. The flag button is for your benefit (i.e. a reminder to check a figure). The note button has an option of Local, State, and Federal. If you want to make a note to yourself about a data field, click on Local and type in your annotation. If you want to send a note to me about a particular data field, click State and type your annotation or if you need to annotate an edit check, use the federal note. 
  • If you want a description of a data element, click on the number and a definitions box will appear. Please note that I have only given definitions for select data fields. The entire list can be printed from the opening page along with the introductory letter.
  • When you move from one screen to another, your data is automatically saved. To save and stay on the same page click the Update button.

How To Do the Edits

  • Click on Status and Printing. Then click on View All Edit Checks For Review. A list of your edits will pop up.
  • To the right of each edit you will see a faint picture of a flag and a note. To annotate the edit, click on the note and a separate box will pop up. Type in an explanation to answer the edit. Click okay.
  • After you have answered all the edits, hit update at the bottom of the page and all the red print should turn green.
  • Most of the edits are federal (they will specify) but there are a few state ones so you have to annotate them under the state tab in the note box.

Printing Reports

  • Click on Status and Printing. There are a couple options for printing the annual report but the web version works best. The PDF has been known to hang.

Submitting Your Report

  • Once you have made sure all questions are filled and your edits are annotated, you can click the Submit Survey button. If you have not filled in all the fields or answered the edits in the notes, it will not allow you to submit your survey. If everything has been done correctly, the program will come up with a message that tells you your report has been submitted successfully. If you don't get that message, than your report did not go through.
  • Once you submit your report, your data becomes LOCKED. If you have cause to change some of your information, you can either call me with the changes or ask me to unlock your data so that you can make the change. NOTE: If you don't submit your report, I have no way of knowing it is complete.

A Couple of Notes

  • This program has a 30 minute timeout. You will be logged out if you do not use the program within 30 minutes.
  • The F5 button on your keyboard will refresh (reset) the page.
  • If your system locks up, try Alt + F4. This will take you back to the Login Screen where you can view your Internet headings.

If you have problems with the program that I can't help you with, please contact: Brian Holovach at Informata (Baker & Taylor): holovab@btol.com or phone 1-866-785-9935.