Librarians as Hunter-Gatherers: Lessons Learned from an Excursion

Abstract

Fueled by the pressing need for electronic resource usage statistics, librarians are finding themselves being thrust into the role of hunter-gatherer. This article discusses the work done at University Library at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis to provide usage statistics for all its paid subscriptions for a 3-year period. The author provides lessons learned from this project that might benefit librarians who are beginning their own excursions to hunt for and gather usage statistics for their collections, whether large or small.

KEYWORDS:

• Usage statistics
• electronic journals
• electronic resource management systems
• COUNTER
• assessment

Acknowledgments

© Mindy M. Cooper