1. We‘re Not So Different, you and I:
Version 1.1
2012
We‘re Not So Different, you and I:
HOW LIBRARIANS AND PUBLISHERS USE STATISTICS IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO ACHEIVE SIMILAR GOALS
5 NOVEMBER 2015
2:25 PM
COLONIAL BALLROOM, EMBASSY SUITES
Alexis Linoski
Texas A&M Libraries
Sarah Schulman
Springer

2. About Us
Alexis Linoski currently works with the Texas A&M System Libraries as the System Libraries Resource Development Director. Her job is to develop and manage consortial agreements for electronic resources for the System. She has previously worked as an Electronic Resources Librarian, Collection Development Librarian and has managed a small Technical Services Department.
Sarah Schulman has worked as Account Development Specialist at Springer since August Her team collaborates with academic and government librarians to help achieve the best possible value from their content. They use an ever-expanding list of methods and strategies, including end user marketing and outreach, statistical analysis and reporting, implementation assistance, trainings/events—and more!

3. To determine if resources are being used
WHY?
To determine if resources are being used
If so, are they being used enough to justify the cost?
Identify gaps in the collection
Learn how the resource is being used

4. WHAT?
Databases
Overall usage, generally Searches or Full-text downloads
Cost is for the entire database
Journal Packages, Ebook Collections, Streaming Media Collections
Cost if for the entire package or collection
Individual Journal Subscriptions and Ebook purchases
Full-text downloads
Title Usage / Circulation

5. Sample Database Report 1 (R4)
COUNTER
Article/full text downloads
Database/Collection usage
Title usage
Variety of Reports showing usage and turnaways
Collection Management
Not all vendors provide COUNTER reports
Sample Database Report 1 (R4)
Collection Management - turnaways (for development); potentially for weeding (ebooks; e-journals, databases/collections)
Title Usage - generally in terms of journals, but also ebooks; 

6. GOOD and BAD
"Good" usage?
Cost per download (or search) is below set threshold
When setting, take into account the average cost for ILL
For Databases and Collections, use the same criteria, i.e. Searches or Full-text downloads
Title usage may not be as useful here because vendors can add and remove titles
"Bad" usage?
Cost per download exceeds set threshold
High number of searches vs number of full-text downloads
Discovery systems may skew the number of searches
Title Usage – if individual journal usage is not good, look for overlap for titles also included in a database

7. What "bad" usage tells us:
Marketing efforts need tuning - users are not aware of the resource
Searches but no full-text downloads -
Resource is not being used appropriately, i.e. a Humanities resource used for science research
Users need instruction
Increase faculty outreach for library instruction
Consider online tutorials for distance students
User Population is small
Resource is for a small degree program
Resource is not being used – candidate for cancellation
User population may be small but resource required for the program… Usage may never be “good”
Keep in mind that discovery systems may dramatically increase the number of searches with no corresponding results, i.e. downloads and views will be significantly lower than the searches.

8. Turnaway Reports Useful for Collection Development Purchases
specific journal titles
specific ebook titles
unsubscribed collections (from the same publisher)
Weeding / deselection
Database settings may need to be reviewed
Can unsubscribed content be “hidden”
Hidden – similar to the default in JSTOR to search only subscribed content

9. Non-COUNTER Reports
A number of vendors offer reports in addition to COUNTER compliant reports
Some allow users to define criteria (Ebsco is one)
Others are unique to the resource, such as Popular Titles, Top Keywords, etc
General data reports, Such as the top referring sites
Top Search Terms from Credo for the Month of September. The month of October was completely different.

10. Additional Resources
COUNTER - More information on reports can be found at the Counter site:
ACRL – Statistics and Assessment

11. What?
For every key customer in dedicated regions and on a regular basis:
SpringerMaterials where applicable
COUNTER Stats, at least quarterly
SpringerLink (eBooks, Journals, Protocols)
What is a key customer? List my regions.

12. What?
For some/most customers in dedicated regions at scheduled meetings throughout the year and upon request:
Detailed account review
Authorship Analysis
Metrics analysis via WebTrekk
Sarah: explain what account review includes and how we decide who gets them…also note that these account reviews include denials or turnaways

13. What? As needed or upon request :
Customized usage, cost, or other analyses

14. Why? Quarterly COUNTER Stats:
Central document serves as one- stop shop
Monitor annual usage trends
Provide spending & CPD snapshot
Ensure all customers get best ROI & kind of usage they want
Is the usage increasing each year the way we want it to in relation to spend increases? Where is usage decreasing and where is it static? Provide a picture of who is slipping vs stronger
Also helps with time management and planning calendar/helps w prioritization

15. Why? Account Reviews: Larger, deeper look at usage and denials
Monthly & yearly comparisons
Most/least used subject areas, content age, type
Assess discoverability of Springer content on library’s web site
re discoverability: little to no use may reveal issues with findability

16. Why? WebTrekk Metrics: Insight into end user behavior
Help with building collection, discovery environment, etc…
Fascinating
Ex: what are people searching for and WHEN are they searching it? maybe have more staff on hand in heavy research months or days or hours, etc… may need to let people know other ways to search, etc…

17. Why? Author Analysis: Faculty/library relationships
Boost classroom use of homegrown content
Monitor, support publishing/research trends
Market library on campus to authors

18. Why?
Custom reports: various…

19. And Then… Consult with librarian: How do you feel?
Where needed/wanted, plan usage-boosting initiatives such as:
Training
End user marketing campaigns
Faculty outreach
Discovery review
What was useful?
Informs future mission/best practices within Springer
How do you feel about the usage stats/metrics/authorship we just showed you?

20. The End- Thank you! Alexis Linoski alinoski@library.tamu.edu
Sarah Schulman
Love of cats is another way we’re not so different…