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Lessons learned from analyzing library database usage data

Karen A. Coombs (University of Houston Libraries, Houston, Texas, USA)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 1 December 2005

3592

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a project undertaken at SUNY Cortland to develop a system that would collect electronic resource usage data in a consistent manner and allow SUNY Cortland to assess this data over several years.

Design/methodology/approach

The project used data gathered from EZProxy server log files to examine usage of the library's electronic resources.

Findings

Through examining the usage data the library discovered that users were utilizing particular types of resources, from specific physical locations, and accessing those resources from specific pages in the library's web site.

Originality/value

By examining usage data for electronic resources, libraries can learn more than which resources are being used. Usage data can give libraries insight into where, when, how, and possibly why their users are accessing electronic resources.

Keywords

Citation

Coombs, K.A. (2005), "Lessons learned from analyzing library database usage data", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 598-609. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830510636373

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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