A Hybrid Model for Managing Standard Usage Data: Principles for e-Resource Statistics Workflows

Abstract

The migration from print to electronic collections has created a new environment for gathering and assessing collection use: reliance on standards-based, vendor-supplied usage data. Electronic resource management (ERM) software and systems designed to accommodate this data have transformed homegrown methods for counting usage and collating reports into hybrid methods using both locally-developed and third-party tools (such as electronic resource management systems and assessment products). This article will outline principles for creating a hybrid workflow for electronic resource usage statistics, using the experience of Bowling Green State University's Jerome Library as a case study.

Keywords:

• Electronic resource management systems
• COUNTER
• Usage statistics
• Workflow
• Assessment

Notes

1 These include commercial and open-source electronic resources management (ERM) systems such as Innovative Interface's ERM and Serials Solutions' 360 Resource Manager (for more, see Collins, 2008) and assessment products/stats-gathering services such as ScholarlyStats (now part of Swetswise Selection Support) and 360 Counter (for more, see Paynter, 2009).

2 One respondent to Fleming-May and Grogg's survey reported discontinuing ScholarlyStats because she felt it wasn't helpful enough: “Once we set up our admin accounts, it doesn't take an undue amount of staff time to retrieve [our usage statistics],” she wrote (Fleming-May & Grogg, 2010b, p. 31).