MINES for Libraries Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services (MINES): The North American Experience Brinley Franklin Vice Provost, University of Connecticut Libraries

What is MINES? MINES is a research methodology consisting of a web-based survey form and a sampling plan. MINES measures who is using electronic resources, where users are located at the time of use, and their purpose of use. MINES was adopted by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) as part of the “New Measures” toolkit in May, 2003. MINES is different from other electronic resource usage measures that quantify total usage (e.g., COUNTER, EQUINOX, E-Metrics, ICOLC Guidelines, ISO and NISO standards) or measure how well a library makes electronic resources accessible (LibQual+TM).

Collection Activities Recent Data Collection Activities Data was collected at 18 university libraries in Ontario, Canada (OCUL) between May, 2004 and April, 2005. Data was also collected at 14 university libraries in the United States between January, 2003 and April, 2005. Main University Libraries Academic Medical Libraries University of Colorado University of Connecticut Health Center University of Connecticut University of North Carolina University of Texas Medical Branch Oregon State University University of Texas Southwestern University of Utah University of Virginia Washington University

Collection Activities Recent Data Collection Activities More than 50,000 networked electronic services uses in the U.S. were surveyed. At each U.S. library, the MINES survey was one component of a comprehensive cost analysis study that assigned all library costs to sponsored research, instruction/education/non-sponsored research, patient care, other sponsored activities and other activities. MINES was also conducted by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) in 2004-2005 in conjunction with ARL. More than 20,000 users were surveyed.

MINES Methodological Considerations A representative sampling plan, including sample size, is determined at the outset. Typically, there are 48 hours of surveying over 12 months at a medical library and 24 hours a year at a main library. Random moment/web-based surveys are employed at each site. Participation is usually mandatory, negating non-respondent bias, and is based on actual use in real-time. Libraries with database-to-web gateways or proxy re-writers offer the most comprehensive networking solution for surveying all networked services users during survey periods.

Library User Survey

Library User Survey Patron Status

Library User Survey Affiliation

Library User Survey Location

Library User Survey Purpose of Use

Purpose of Use By Location U.S. Medical Libraries 2003 – 2005 On-Campus, Not in the Library n = 15,948 In the Library n = 6,590 Overall Use n = 27,390 Off-Campus n = 4,852 3 *83% of sponsored research usage occurred outside the library. 92% of this use took place on-campus.

Purpose of Use By Location U.S. Main Campus Libraries 2003 – 2005 On-Campus, Not in the Library n = 9,460 In the Library n = 9,733 All Usage n = 26,983 Off-Campus n = 7,790 3 *72% of sponsored research usage of electronic resources occurred outside the library; 83% of this took place on-campus.

Location of Users 2003-2005 U.S. Medical Library U.S. Main Library 76% 64% 24% 36% All Libraries 70% 30%

Demographics by Location of User U.S. Main Libraries Inside the Library n = 9,172 On Campus, Not in the Library n = 6,391 Off-Campus n = 4,953 Total Users n = 25,698

Demographics by Location of User U.S. Medical Libraries Inside the Library n = 6,819 On Campus, Not in the Library n = 19,582 Off-Campus n = 5,133 Total Users n = 31,883

Location of Users All U.S. Libraries 28% 52% 20% 28% 72%

Demographics of OCUL Users (n=20,300)

OCUL Scholars Portal Users by Purpose of Use (n=20,300)

Location of Networked Electronic Services Users- U. S Location of Networked Electronic Services Users- U.S. and Canadian University Libraries OCUL U.S.

brinley.franklin@uconn.edu terry.plum@simmons.edu martha@arl.org http://www.minesforlibraries.org