Real World Data: Using Real World Data: Using Usage to Shape LibrariesUsage to Shape Libraries

Ginny SteelGinny SteelUniversity of California, Santa CruzUniversity of California, Santa Cruz

NISO Usage Data ForumNISO Usage Data ForumNovember 1-2, 2007November 1-2, 2007

Dallas, TXDallas, TX

““Wherever there is Wherever there is number, there is beauty.”number, there is beauty.”

--Proclus, 410-485 A.D.--Proclus, 410-485 A.D.

A tale of two librariesA tale of two libraries

• Both part of public research universities

• Both in building/growth mode

• Both in need of more resources while facing reductions in state support

• Both facing increased scrutiny on use of available resources

And the libraries struggle…And the libraries struggle…

• To cope with the impact of prolonged, severe inflation in the cost of materials

• To support new academic programs

• To incorporate new and expanded technological capabilities that support teaching, learning, and research

Management challengesManagement challenges

• Understand and ensure best use of resources

• Make hard decisions between multiple high priority needs

• Help all constituencies understand and accept established priorities

• Make the library’s case to university administration

Decision support dataDecision support data

• Counting inputs and outputs

• Calculating value

• Developing and refining strategies

• Setting priorities

• Explaining decisions

Uses for dataUses for data

• Journals cancellations

• Justification for new subscriptions

• Storage and weeding

• Budget allocations

• Services

• Space

• Staffing

Types of data collectedTypes of data collected

• Circulation: checkouts, renewals, holds and recalls, in-house use

• Interlibrary borrowing and lending

• Gatecounts and hourly headcounts

• Numbers of transactions at service desks

• Expenditures

WSU journal use databaseWSU journal use database

• Print and electronic journals

• Circulation and in-house use

• Database includes title, publisher, current subscription cost, use of print and/or e-versions, discipline(s)

• Dedicated staff time to create and maintain database

External relationsExternal relations

“Number theorists are like lotus-eaters – having once tasted of this food they can never give it up.”

--Leopold Kronecker

Key constituenciesKey constituencies

• Faculty

• Administrators

• Students

• Donors and potential donors

• Funding agencies

• Library consortia

Other important constituenciesOther important constituencies

• Committee on the library

• Academic Senate

• Budget and planning office

• Institutional research office

Communication strategiesCommunication strategies

• Be prepared with numbers• Maintain time series• Emphasize overall usage, not just

individuals or single departments• Use cost per use data, not just use data

alone• Share data as openly as possible

whenever possible, wherever it’s appropriate

One library manager’s dream of One library manager’s dream of usage data heavenusage data heaven

• Accepted standardized methodology for tracking titles, publishers, subscription costs, packages, academic discipline(s) and usage by location

• Customizable fields to track other facets such as open-access

• Web-based with ability to control read-write and read-only access

• Can incorporate data generated by vendors/publishers and local institutions

The dream, continuedThe dream, continued

• Can incorporate a variety of data including ILL requests and new subscription requests

• Easily updated, maintained, and manipulated• Able to be used to generate reports• Data can be compared with other institutions

In conclusion, remember that…In conclusion, remember that…

“The numbers are a catalyst that can help turn raving madmen into polite humans.”

-- Philip J. Davis

Questions???