Usage patterns in a Greek academic library catalogue: A follow-up study

Aphrodite Malliari; Mersini Moreleli-Cacouris; Konstantinos Kapsalis

doi:10.1108/14678041011026865

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Performance Measurement and Metrics

ISSN: 1467-8047

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Usage patterns in a Greek academic library catalogue: A follow-up study

Document Information:
Title:	Usage patterns in a Greek academic library catalogue: A follow-up study
Author(s):	Aphrodite Malliari, (Alexander Technological Educational Institution of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece), Mersini Moreleli-Cacouris, (Alexander Technological Educational Institution of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece), Konstantinos Kapsalis, (Alexander Technological Educational Institution of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Citation:	Aphrodite Malliari, Mersini Moreleli-Cacouris, Konstantinos Kapsalis, (2010) "Usage patterns in a Greek academic library catalogue: A follow-up study", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 11 Iss: 1, pp.47 - 55
Keywords:	Academic libraries, Greece, Library users, Online catalogues, User studies
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/14678041011026865 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements:	A version of this paper was presented at the International Conference on Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, Chania, Greece, 26-29 May 2009.
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on searches made by the patrons of the Library of the ATEI of Thessaloniki using its online catalogue during the spring semester of the academic year 2007/2008. A previous study had revealed that patrons experienced difficulties while searching the OPAC and did not make the most of the system's capabilities. As a result, the library re-examined specific aspects of its services and its user education programnes, and updated its software. The present research was undertaken in order to assess the impact of these changes and to study whether the searching behaviour of its patrons has improved, or whether serious system limitations still persisted. Design/methodology/approach – The data, collected from the transaction logs kept by the system's software, were processed and analysed statistically by using multivariate techniques. Findings – The changes seem to have had a positive effect on patrons and their search attitude. Almost twice as many searches/sessions were carried out during the period of the present study compared with that of the previous one. Research limitations/implications – The research is based on the analysis of data gathered from a single university library, but the techniques used can easily be transferred. Practical implications – Not only were areas for improvement identified and implemented, but also the results highlighted the shift towards, and the need to support, research-based education. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates simple techniques using transaction logging to identify areas for improvement in OPAC systems.