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Overview
What are the potentials—and limitations—of usage statistics in libraries?
As libraries increase their use of electronic resources, the value of quality evaluation of usage statistics has gained greater importance. Usage Statistics of E-Serials tackles this difficult issue by exploring in detail the proper evaluation of the level of usage of electronic resources. Noted experts discuss their own experiences in the field from multiple viewpoints and backgrounds, providing the reader with a well-rounded view of the entire topic. Issues comprehensively examined include the gathering and processing of statistics, costs and benefits of e-journals, evaluation and interpretation of data, and the comparison of different types of data collection methods.
Usage Statistics of E-Serials reviews a range of situations and experiences of librarians and administrators in several different academic libraries. These authorities offer approaches and strategies to help readers more fully understand how to best manage those crucial resources. Multiple perspectives shine a needed spotlight on various challenges still facing academic librarians who attempt to measure and manage their library’s electronic resources. This resource includes helpful screen captures, tables, and figures to fully explain ideas and data.
Topics in Usage Statistics of E-Serials include:
- processing, standardizing, and dissemination of usage statistics
- a case study examining the cost of selection, acquisition, maintenance, and renewal of subscription of e-journals
- cost savings of canceling print journals
- evaluation and interpretation of data about the content and use of databases in decision-making
- the MaxData Project
- results of the Council of Connecticut Academic Library Directors (CCALD) e-resource management survey
- in-house current-awareness module MyCLICAPS
- statistics options provided by Serials Solutions
- the influence of usage statistics on collection development decisions
- the tracking of electronic resources by San Jose State University from the Federal depository program
- usage statistics as the basis for a usage-based pricing system
- more!
Synopsis
What are the potentials—and limitations—of usage statistics in libraries?
As libraries increase their use of electronic resources, the value of quality evaluation of usage statistics has gained greater importance. Usage Statistics of E-Serials tackles this difficult issue by exploring in detail the proper evaluation of the level of usage of electronic resources. Noted experts discuss their own experiences in the field from multiple viewpoints and backgrounds, providing the reader with a well-rounded view of the entire topic. Issues comprehensively examined include the gathering and processing of statistics, costs and benefits of e-journals, evaluation and interpretation of data, and the comparison of different types of data collection methods.
Usage Statistics of E-Serials reviews a range of situations and experiences of librarians and administrators in several different academic libraries. These authorities offer approaches and strategies to help readers more fully understand how to best manage those crucial resources. Multiple perspectives shine a needed spotlight on various challenges still facing academic librarians who attempt to measure and manage their library’s electronic resources. This resource includes helpful screen captures, tables, and figures to fully explain ideas and data.
Topics in Usage Statistics of E-Serials include:
- processing, standardizing, and dissemination of usage statistics
- a case study examining the cost of selection, acquisition, maintenance, and renewal of subscription of e-journals
- cost savings of canceling print journals
- evaluation and interpretation of data about the content and use of databases in decision-making
- the MaxData Project
- results of the Council of Connecticut Academic Library Directors (CCALD) e-resource management survey
- in-house current-awareness module MyCLICAPS
- statistics options provided by Serials Solutions
- the influence of usage statistics on collection development decisions
- the tracking of electronic resources by San Jose State University from the Federal depository program
- usage statistics as the basis for a usage-based pricing system
- more!
Margaret Sylvia - Library Journal
As prices rise and as online statistics of serials usage become more widely available and standardized, both libraries and publishers will inevitably come to depend on them for pricing, marketing, and purchasing decisions. Since the provider of the resource (the publisher or vendor) is the only one who can accurately measure the use of an online resource for a widely scattered population, it is incumbent on the library to use caution in weighing providersupplied statistics in budgeting and purchasing decisions. Is the provider compiling and revealing statistics to subscribers? What data do librarians need to examine in order to make appropriate purchasing decisions? Are accurate usage numbers enough to make a good buying decision? Librarians may want to consider that a download from the swimsuit issue and a download from a journal on cancer research may not produce the same value to society. Should we weigh these two uses equally in our purchasing decisions? These are only a few of the considerations addressed in this collection. Editor Fowler, the electronic resources librarian at University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, has brought together an excellent group of contributors with a wide array of views, from the nittygritty of how to integrate usage data from varied sources in different formats to a thoughtful discussion of how to make the best use of the data gathered. Recommended reading for all librarians. [Index not seen.]
For children's and YA librarians needing some book recommendations for their young patrons, Nancy Pearl, "America's favorite librarian," offers her own picks in Book Crush: For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, andInterest(Sasquatch. 2007.)
Editorials
Library Journal
As prices rise and as online statistics of serials usage become more widely available and standardized, both libraries and publishers will inevitably come to depend on them for pricing, marketing, and purchasing decisions. Since the provider of the resource (the publisher or vendor) is the only one who can accurately measure the use of an online resource for a widely scattered population, it is incumbent on the library to use caution in weighing providersupplied statistics in budgeting and purchasing decisions. Is the provider compiling and revealing statistics to subscribers? What data do librarians need to examine in order to make appropriate purchasing decisions? Are accurate usage numbers enough to make a good buying decision? Librarians may want to consider that a download from the swimsuit issue and a download from a journal on cancer research may not produce the same value to society. Should we weigh these two uses equally in our purchasing decisions? These are only a few of the considerations addressed in this collection. Editor Fowler, the electronic resources librarian at University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, has brought together an excellent group of contributors with a wide array of views, from the nittygritty of how to integrate usage data from varied sources in different formats to a thoughtful discussion of how to make the best use of the data gathered. Recommended reading for all librarians. [Index not seen.]
For children's and YA librarians needing some book recommendations for their young patrons, Nancy Pearl, "America's favorite librarian," offers her own picks in Book Crush: For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, andInterest(Sasquatch. 2007.)
—Margaret Sylvia